Egypt’s cabinet approves bill to regulate public protests

Egypt’s cabinet has approved a new draft law that regulates public protests, amid widespread demonstrations in the country over the past few weeks.

Egyptian Justice Minister Ahmed Mekki said on Wednesday that the law aimed to “ensure the peaceful nature of demonstrations.”

According to the draft, which will be sent to the upper house of parliament to be ratified, organizers of demonstrations are required to notify authorities of plans to protest in advance.

The Egyptian Interior Ministry has the right to reject a demonstration and according to the official MENA news agency, protests will be limited to a specific location in each province determined by the governor.

Furthermore, the draft law prevents protesters from setting up platforms for speakers and the use of tents during sit-ins among several other restrictions.

However, Mekki stated that the draft intends to “protect the right (to demonstrate) and prevents mixing peaceful protests, which the state vows to protect, and attacks on people and property as well as disrupting public order.”

Meanwhile, Ahmed Ezzat, who heads the legal unit at the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, said the draft law “imposes restrictions on the right to demonstration and violates all principles of freedom of expression.”

In addition, Heba Morayef, Egypt director of Human Rights Watch, said, “This law seems designed to actually increase restrictions, whereas the existing legal framework, which dates back to the early 20th century, was bad enough.”

Nearly 60 people died in violent protests against Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi between January 25 and February 4.