#EgyConstitution : “No”as an answer is not an option for real in the Constitution referendum

You vote won't make a difference in the Constitution "Keizer"

From three days ago in the news : The arrest of a leading MB member for printing a “NO for the Constitution” flyers in Damietta.
From two days ago in the news : The governor of New Valley Governorate “A former army major general” says that anyone who dares to spread the “No for Constitution” posters in the governorate will be arrested in accordance with the law !!!!! Man I wonder if a governor in time of Morsi dared to say this , how the media reaction would be and I find myself saying that we are living in a world full of hypocrites.
Moatez Abdel Fatah, the famous political sciences professor turned in to a media celebrity says that even if the people vote “No” in the constitution , the state will make it “Yes” in some public lecture !! He added that some people may accept what used to happen in time of Mubarak just to make sure that the Muslim Brotherhood won’t return back.

Moatez Abdel Fatah : Even if people vote “No” , the state will make it “Yes”

Banners on October Bridge : Say yes to the Constitution. This is is besides it is signed “People who love their country” so the indirect message sent here is that those who will say No to the Constitution do not love their country. TV ads say that we should vote yes to the new constitution to defeat Muslim brotherhood , terrorists, Turkey and the Universe.
Constitutions are not made to defeat nation’s enemies for God sake !!
Anyhow it seems that the government or rather regime won’t take NO for an answer for real !!
Government and ruling regimes of this country should know that there are “Yes” and “No” answers in referendums for a certain reason and that they should prepare specific scenarios. Of course I am speaking about real governments that believe in democracy and act according to it. Governments we have not seen so far in Egypt !!
During SCAF , we had to say yes to the constitution 71 amendments referendum otherwise we would be infidels “P.S the Felol voted Yes too because SCAF was marketing Yes strongly”. During Morsi , we had to say yes to the new constitution otherwise we will be infidels. Now in 2013 or rather 2014 we have to say yes to the newer constitution otherwise we are traitors.

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And this is how You mix religion with politics my dear

It was a fact that Constitution 2012 edition was enforcing the engagement of Religion in the state.Another fact the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies from Islamists including Nour party then used religion to promote for that constitution just
Myth says that 30 June uprising/revolution/wave/protests was/were against the Muslim Brotherhood and against the use of religion in politics and here I say it is a myth because I see the current ruling regime and its supporters shamelessly use religion in promoting for the Constitution 2013 edition.
Just yesterday Sheikh Ali Goma’a , our former Mufti said that those who would go to vote in the constitution referendum were supported by God !! He also added that we should all mobilize and say yes in order to astonish the world !!

New Old Nour Party's Constitution ad !!

He also added that the Constitution 2013 edition was against corruption and was against atheism !!!!!!! Yes against atheism so believers who want to fight that wave of atheism should vote for the constitution !!
Tell me what is the difference between Ali Goma’a and all the other MB sheikhs that said similar stuff about Constitution 2012 edition and the Constitution 1971 edition amendments referendum !? Of course this is not the first time Goma’a mix religion with politics , he has not stopped since July 26.
Even Nour Party is repeating the same old ads it used in 2012 claiming that Constitution 2013 in order to keep the Islamic identity and reference of the State. Its founder and famous Salafist preacher Yasser El Borhamy says that Constitution 2013 edition is better than Constitution 2012 edition !! 
Anyhow I hate to break the news to all of you , nobody for real knows what God thinks of this constitution or whether the Almighty is standing with this group or that group. Do not use the Lord in your useless endless disgusting earthly power fights.
And I remember Sheikh Emad Effet May Allah bless his soul and wonder why we are stuck in this world with sheikhs like El Borhmay , Goma’a and of course the MB’s religious band of Sheikhs !! The Lord only knows !! 
We hoped that after June 30 that mix of religion with politics to be stopped but we were naive as it seems. 

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#EgyConstitution: Draft Constitution #2013 Now Available in English

Thanks to Constitution.org we have now unofficial translated version of the draft Constitution 2013.

Draft Constitution 2013 of Egypt in English by Zeinab Mohamed

The unofficial translation is prepared by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance “International Idea”.
Of course now we began to see more discussion in English about the Constitution. Dear friend Bassem Sabry analyzed the draft Constitution and summarized its main point in a must read report in El Monitor. Nathan Brown and Michele Dunn also take a closer looker to our Constitution version 2013.

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Read the Draft Constitution 2013 Now (Ar)

Here is the final draft of the Draft Constitution 2031 uploaded online by diplomat Ashraf Swelam today in Arabic.

مشروع الدستور - لجنة الخمسين by Ashraf Swelam

There has not been a full English translation for the draft Constitution but some wire services highlighted the major points in Constitution. 
Reuters' Aswat Masrya made Factbox reports about the major points in the draft constitution in general and in specific the articles about police and army.
Here is special AP story about the major points in the draft Constitution.
I am currently studying it.

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#NoMilTrials : To Protest or Not to Protest

Today a group of protesters and  activists tried to defy the government and the ministry of interior by organizing another protest against both " The military trials for civilians in the Constitution" and "The protest law". The protest is organized by Thowar Front. "Revolutionaries Front" 
Now the Ministry of interior is claiming that late Jika's father was the one who applied for a permit for this protest. Ironically no one from the activists asked for a permit in the first place and nobody can reach Mr. Salah Jaber, Jika's dad to confirm this.
The official statement of MOI says that some activists apply for the permit but did not say who these activists are. Ironically according to the law you should apply three days prior to the protest not only the same day.
Interestingly the MOI spokesperson refused to reveal to Daily News Egypt report Fady Ashraf the organizers that applied for permits.

MOI spokesman refused to disclose the names of the protest organisers

— Fady Ashraf (@fadyashraf21) November 27, 2013

Jika is believed to be killed by the MOI during Mohamed Morsi's rule. No one was held accounted for his death up till now. 

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#NoMilTrials : Back To Back !!

And the peaceful protest of the No for Military trials Campaign against the bloody article in the Constitution was dispersed by force brutally in the first test for the ministry of interior and its Pro-Media.

What I see in front of me that we are not back to 11 February 2011 but we are back to 24 January 2011 if not to 2010 with the same lies in the media.

Here is a storfiy report for what happened since the start of the protests. You can see it after the break.

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#Nov19 in #MohamedMahmoud #2013 : A big long day

And it is the 19th November !!! And only God knows what will happen on that busy day , we got sad anniversaries , pharaoh's birthday and a football match.
Here is a live blog for the long day.It seems that it would start earlier. 

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#BanMiltrials : The Battle is on

This is one of the main challenges we are currently having when it comes to the Constitution 2012 amendments and God knows it is not a challenge more than it is a battle.

This battle, this challenge is the military trials for civilians. You see according to the Constitution 2012 vague article 198 civilians can stand military trials.
Here is what article 198 says “Translated to English by Dr. Nivien Salah”

The military judiciary is an independent branch of the judiciary. It alone decides on all crimes related to the armed forces, their officers, and personnel.
Civilians may not be tried by the military judiciary unless they are accused of crimes that hurt the armed forces. The law specifies these crimes as well as other competencies of the military judiciary.
Members of the military judiciary are independent. They cannot be dismissed, and they have the guarantees, rights, and duties that attach to all members of the judiciary.

According to Constitutional law expert Gaber Nassar who is also the head of Cairo University and a member in the Constitution committee this is a vague article.
Nassar gave a brief history of the military trials in Egypt as well in a series of tweets on Friday. They are extremely important.

1-كانت تسمى المحاكمات العسكرية داخل الثكنات وبعد يوليو دخل النظام القانونى المصرى لأول مرة مصطلح القضاء العسكرى وأستخدم على نطاق واسع ..يتبع
— DR. Gaber Gad Nassar (@drGABER_NASSAR) September 20, 2013

1- It was first called “military trials in barracks” and after July 1952 the term “military judiciary” was introduced for the first time to the Egyptian legal system.

2-وكان المقصود تسويغه بإعتباره قضاء وهو ليس كذلك وفى نهاية حكم مبارك عملوه على درجتين من أجل ترسيخ فكرة كاذبة أنه ليس محاكمة خاصة نوعية يتبع
— DR. Gaber Gad Nassar (@drGABER_NASSAR) September 20, 2013

2- It was meant to market it as a judiciary but it is not. In the end of Mubarak era two stages legal procedures “primary and appeal” were introduced to the military judiciary in order to enforce the false idea that it is not a special judiciary.

3-فى دستور 2012قالوا أنه قضاء مستقل وهو لايمكن أن يكون كذلك لان القاضى ضابط هو وأحكامه يخضع لوزير الدفاع ولذلك لابد من عودته كما كان
— DR. Gaber Gad Nassar (@drGABER_NASSAR) September 20, 2013

3- In Constitution 2012 , it was said that military judiciary was an independent judiciary which can not be because in the end the military judge is an officer who follows the minister of defense.

It is worth to mention that Constitution 2012 gave the army privileges that have not been granted to the military institution in any other previous constitution in the history of Egypt including Constitution 1971.
Now the brave No For Military trials campaign has started a new crusade against the armed forces in order to stop the military trials for civilians and to make civilians stand civilian trials constitutionally.
Tomorrow the No For Military trials campaign will have a hearing session in order to explain their views to the Constitution committee.
Last Thursday the head of the military judiciary had his hearing in front of the committee. Of course the media focused on what he said without even trying to represent the other views at least from the professional way !!
By the way Tamaroud representatives aka youth representatives in the Constitution committee “Mahmoud Badr and Mohamed Abdel Aziz” seem to be okay with the military trials for civilians. The Nasserites also seem to be okay with the military for civilians.
Nevertheless there are some voices in the committee against the military like Constitutional law expert and head of Cairo University Dr. Gaber Nassar whom I quoted above as well artist Mohamed Abla.
Currently we know that two journalists are standing military trials and sadly enough they are from Sinai : Mohamed Sabry and Ahmed Abu Draa.
Mohamed Sabry stood a military trial in time of ousted president Morsi and up till now his trial is being adjourned for ages.
Now here are important remarks I would like to add regarding the military trials and my source is none other than the fantastic and brave Mona Seif herself.

• Up till now we do not know the exact number of the civilians who stood and are standing military trials. The latest number we have got is “11,000” and this is according to the statement of Adel Morsi , the former head of military judiciary to Ahram Gate in September 2011. Since then there are no official statements about the exact number.
• It is true that there are no civilian prisoners in the military prisons because the civilian prisoners have been transferred to civilian prisons since 2012.
• The military trials are on rise after June 30 mainly in the governorates away from media like in Suez canal governorates , North Sinai and Matrouh as well some Upper Egyptian governorates like Minya.
• The No for military trials campaign is trying to help people as much it can but it does not have lawyers or activists enough to help people in those campaigns.

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Regarding the Military’s loyalty Oath

I do not think that it is too late to discuss this matter that made controversy and headlines all over the world.
Interim President Adly Mansour issued a presidential decree late last August to remove a very interesting part from the armed forces’ oath of loyalty.
That part concerning the allegiance to the President of republic does not exist anymore. That part was “to be loyal to the president of the republic.”
I was surprised when I had heard the news. Of course all the world consider that move was another example on how the Egyptian armed forces will not obey any civilian president enforcing the military state and political power in Egypt.
Still no one had paid attention to the  history of the armed forces’ oath of loyalty  before.
It turned out that the original military loyalty oath had not had this part before ousted Hosni Mubarak. Yes it turned out that Mubarak added this phrase to the loyalty oath. Some say that Mubarak added to the oath after getting rid from his rival defense minister Abu Ghazla.
As you may know Abdel Halim Abu Ghazla was popular not only among the army but also by the public and Mubarak got rid of him in a big for fear that he would lead a coup against him. “Of course some say that Program T was behind his dismissal”
The oath continued after the 25 January 2011 revolution and of course Muslim Brotherhood’s Morsi would not think to change it.
Well ironically the army turned against Mubarak and Morsi whom the officers swore loyalty to it !!
Now the current oath is as follows :
“I swear to God to be a loyal soldier to the Republic of Egypt...protecting its security and peace...protecting and defending it on land, at sea or in air, inside and outside the republic...obeying military orders, implementing my leaders’ orders, protecting my weapon which i will not leave until death...God is witness to what I say.” 
Well I know that the Commander of Chief of the armed forces is the President thus the army should be loyal to him or “her… yes I am dreaming but it will not hurt ;)” according to military judiciary law of 1966.
The Pro-military supporters Of course say that it was a great decision because it liberated the army from loyalty to one person that is the president whom can be good or bad , fair or dictator to become fully loyal to the nation.
On the other hand I would say Pro-democracy and revolutionaries are concerned from that change saying that it would enforce the state within the state notion.
Personally I believe that the oath does not matter as much because we got already a constitution that gave the army privileges more than any constitution in the history of Egypt. I do not think that the new amendments those articles about the army will be touched.
Nevertheless we have to think about the timing of the decision , why would an interim president or rather the army take it now ?? 
In the end that oath can be changed by the next president. Again Mubarak who added the president’s loyalty words ; was sold by the army during the January revolution.
People should realize that the constitution is the real deal here and it defines everything in the state including the relation between the president and the army. Of course SCAF got the upper hand in this relation thanks to Constitution 2012 especially if our next president will be a civilian.
Again the constitution is the thing that we should pay attention to now.
By the way I wish someone begins to discuss without fear the Civil-military relations especially in democratic transitions times in a simple way to the public in Egypt with all the challenges we got now. We need someone to discuss in Arabic too before English as it turned we got many articles and too many speakers about that topic in English but not in Arabic.

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The 50 members Committee : Who is Who

I am getting tired from these Who is Who posts I am doing over and over nowadays !! Here is the list and Who is Who of the 50 members committee that is assigned by the presidency to revise the amendments of constitution 2012.
The constitution amendments were presented to the presidency last week by the 10 members committee made of Constitutional law experts. The 50 members committee should represent the society through a specific quota announced last month by the presidency.

Here is the list of names:

1. Kamal El Helbawy as a representative of Islamist current :The former leading member of the Muslim brotherhood is in the committee and this has to say something especially with what I hear from unconfirmed news from the backstage. El Helbawy who was one of the top figures of MB abroad and was from those responsible from spreading the teachings of the brotherhood internationally. He lived in London for decades.He resigned from the MB when the brotherhood announced that it would have a presidential candidate in 2012. It is worth to mention that his wife is still a member in the Sisterhood branch of the MB.
2. Bassam El Zarqa as a representative of Islamist current: The co-founder of Al Nour Party , El Zarqa was a member in the Constituent assembly of 2012.He was also an advisor to Morsi during this presidency. Bassam El Zarqa is the only representative of the Salafists in the committee, and this is making the Salafists extremely angry. The Salafists are here to defend the articles they planned proudly in constitution 2012.
3. Amr Moussa as a public figure : Amr Moussa is not only a public figure but he is the former leader of Conference party that is expected a role in the future. He is a member of the NSF. He was chosen as a member in the Constituent assembly in 2012 but later he left it.
4. Diaa Rashwan as a representative of journalists :  The current head of journalists syndicate and head of Ahram Center for Strategic studies. The Upper Egyptian researcher in Islamist groups affairs got Nationalist Nasserite Leftist tendencies. He is also close to the army , at least this is what was shown in the past three years. He was an advocate of marshal laws during SCAF time. Rashwan and journalists syndicate are angry that the 10 members committee ignored their suggestions in the Constitutional amendments.
5. Sameh Ashour as a representative of lawyers : The head of lawyers syndicate and the leader of Nasserite party. Well Ashour is not your typical revolutionary Nasserite as on January 27,2011 that ousting Mubarak was completely wrong. He is a member of the NSF by the way.
6. Major General Mohamed Maged El Din as a representative of armed forces : The current head of military prosecution. I think the army avoid sending Major General Mamdouh Shahin. It does not make difference in my view because in the end Maged El Din or Shahin will represent what the army wants in the constitution and from what I know from the amendments the army related articles are not touched.
7. Mahmoud Badr as a representative of Tamaroud movement : The well known co-founder of Tamaroud movement is a Nasserite.
8. Mohamed Abdel Aziz as a representative of Tamaroud Movement : Another well known co-founder of Tamaroud movement is a Nasserite and a member of the popular Current.
9. Ahmed Eid as a representative of The 30 June Front Youth Coalition : Another youth activist who is originally a member in the Constitution Party
10. Amr Salah as a representative of the 30 June Front Youth : A revolutionary youth activist who is also a member in the Constitution party.
11. Police General Ali Mohamed Abdel-Moula as a representative of ministry of interior.
12. Mervat El-Talawy as a National council for women representative : The former minister and ambassador is well known to everybody. By the way she was among the co-founders of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party.  I do not know if she is still a member or not.
13. Mohamed Salmawy as a representative of writers in Egypt : The famous writer is the head of Egypt’s Union writers. He is also a member in the Free Egyptians Party. Despite he believes in liberal economy , I heard he got nationalist Nasserite tendencies.
14. Khaled Youssef as a representative of artists in Egypt : The leftist Nasserite director and film writer is a member of the Egyptian Popular Current.
15. Sayed Hegab as The high council of culture representative : The famous leftist/Nationalist Poet once compared El Sissy to Nasser. Amazingly in 2011 he described January 25 revolution as bigger than Nasser.He is a member of popular current.
16. Mohamed Alba as a representative of artists in Egypt : The leftist artist is well known for his views against the military trials and SCAF.
17. Mona El Zulfakr as a representative of human rights activists : The current member of the human rights council. Mrs. Zulfakr is a board member of several corporations, in fact she is the CEO of EFG-Hermes. The famous cooperate lawyer is not the typical human rights advocate of the revolution to be honest , she is not Mona Seif or Huba Morafey but she played an important role when it came to family and women’s laws before the revolution of 25 January.
18. El Sayid El Badawy as a representative of liberals : The leader of Al Wafd Party represents liberals in Egypt in a big joke !! Everybody knows that El Badawy is more of a shadow party leader now who supports whoever rules !! The owner of a huge pharmaceutical company and Al Hayat TV network once said on TV that his party is not liberal. He is a member of the NSF.
19. Mohamed Aboul Ghar as a representative of liberals : Dr. Aboul Ghar was one of the founders of the National association of change before the revolution. He is the leader of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party which is more of social democrat than typical liberals. He is from the co-founder of the 9 March movement for Universities indenpendence.
20. Dr.Adel Galil Mostafa as a public figure : The University professor and political activist is a member in the National association of Change. He is also a co-founder of the 9 March movement for Universities indenpendence.
21. Gaber Nassar as a public figure : The professor of Constitutional law and former vice dean of law school in Cairo university was elected as the head of Cairo university.
22. Dr. Hoda El Sada as a public figure : Despite her name is not known publicly but Dr. Hoda El Sada is well known Egyptian and Arab feminist academic. I am amazed that I have not read about her before.
23. Azza Al Ashamawy as a representative of the National council for Motherhood and Children : Dr. Azza is the head of the counter human trafficking unit in the council.
24. Hussein Abdel Razek as a representative of leftists : Hussein Abdel Razek is the leader of Tagammou party. I am surprised for choosing him as representative for leftists now in Egypt when there are more active Leftist parties in Egypt like Socialist Popular Coalition Party. Just like Al Wafd Party , El Tagammou Party was a shadow opposition cartoonish party during Mubarak’s era especially in the last decade.
25. Mohamed Sami as a representative of Nationalists : As if there is no representation of nationalists and Nasserites so we have got the leader of Karma Party as a member in the committee !! Karma Party “which is founded by Hamdeen Sabbahi” is a member of the NSF.
26. Haggag Oddoul as a representative of Nubians : Haggag Oddoul , the famous Nubian writer and novelist is considered from the important advocates of Nubian lost rights in Egypt. Oddoul was among the names nominated by the Nubians themselves.I believe it is a good choice. He is a leftist. 
27. Mosad Abu Fagr as a representative of Sinai : The outspoken Sinai activist , blogger and writer is well known Leftist yet he is a founding member of Constitution Party in Sinai last time I checked. Au Fagr used to be critic to the military state in the past, I do no know about now. Nevertheless I can not get over his conspiracy theories about the United States and Palestinians.
28. Dr. Mohamed Ghonim as a public figure : Another respectful figure , Ghonim was among the founders of the National association of change that stood against Mubarak.He got some socialist tendencies. He is currently a member in the Popular Current
29. Dr.Magdy Yaccoub as a public figure : Sir Magdy Yaccoub , the true humble Egyptian surgeon icon. He is a very respectable and modest man.
30. Sheikh Shawky Allam as a representative of Al Azhar.
31. Sheikh Abdullah Mabrouk Al Naggar as representative of Al Azhar.
32. Sheikh Mohamed Abdel Salam as a representative of Al Azhar.
33. Bishop Paula as a representative of Coptic Church : Many Christian activists as well Christians rejected his nomination. I need a separate post to explain it.
34. Bishop Antonius Aziz Mina as a representative of Catholic Church.
35. Dr. Safwat El Baiady as a representative of Evangelical Church.
36. Hossam El-Massah  as a representative of the special needs people in Egypt.
37. Ahmed Mohamadan as a representative of the Supreme Council for Universities.
38. Talaat Abdel-Kawy as a representative of the NGOs in Egypt.
39. Mostafa Badran as a representative of students in Egypt : Badran won the elections of Egypt’s students unions after a very tough competition against the Muslim brotherhood. As far as I know he is politically independent.
40. Ahmed El-Wakil as chambers of commerce representative.
41. Elhamy El-Zaiat as a chamber of tourism representative.
42. Mamdouh Hamda as a representatives of cooperatives.
43. Mohamed Abdel Kader as a representative of farmers.
44. Ahmed Khairy as a representatives of farmers.
45. Gebali El-Maraghi as a representative of labor : Gebali El Maraghi’s name as a Pro-Muarak labor unionist was mentioned in the battle of the camel case.
46. Khairy Abdel Dayam as a representative of doctors : The head of doctors’ syndicate is not a Muslim brotherhood but he was backed by the brotherhood as far as I know.
47. Saad El Din El Halali as a public figure : The Islamist scholar is known for his unorthodox controversial views. Choosing him made many conservatives angry.
48. Dr. Amr El Shobaky as a public figure :The former MP and political sciences analyst and professor was a member of the Constituent assembly in 2012. He was accused of supporting the Muslim brotherhood then. Well now I think he is no longer supporting them.
49. Abla Mohie El-Din as an industrial chambers representative : The Benha university professor works as an advisor in the ministry of industry and commerce.
50. Osama Al Shawky as a representative for engineers.

In quick look , we got some how a domination for the Nasserites and Leftists and boy who can imagine that !! Of course there is huge overlapping between them because you can find Nasserite Leftist at the time “I know some socialists will be offended but it is true !!”. On the other hand you find you will find a Nasserite who rejects Leftism economy or Leftist who rejects military state. It is just crazy !!

Quick numbers :

• We got 5 women.
• We got 4 Christians.
• We got 1 Conference Party members.
• We got 3 Constitution party members. 
• We got  5 Popular current members
• We got at least 16 NSF members
• We got at least 1 Egyptian Social Democratic Party member
• We got 1 Salafist/ Al Nour party.
• We got 2 Political Islamists
• We got 5 Islamists in general “Including Al Azhar , El Helbawy and Basse Al Zaraqa”
• We got 4 members at least who were members in the previous constituent assembly.

Despite some say that the women should have got a bigger quota , I believe it is not by number as much as the end product itself. Hoda Sada seems to be an excellent choice along with Azza Al Ashamawy.
There is a huge change and we have got a Sinai representative and Nubia representative but no West desert tribes representative as ethnic groups. Also it may be silly but I do not understand why we do not have a single representative for Muslim Shiites when we have representatives for the main three Churches in Egypt. Of course there is not single representative for the Egyptian Jews !! I know it is cheesy but hell I had enough of speaking about the new era of liberalism in Egypt after the departure of Muslim brotherhood.
Good luck for those guys , hopefully they will learn from the previous constituent assembly’s mistakes. Personally I believe this will not be the end.

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#Egypt : The Constitutional Declaration of #2013

The interim President Adly Mansour has issued a constitutional declaration made of 33 articles. The delcaration includes articles regarding the Freedoms ,the president , PM and the armed forces' powers as well the roadmap for the political transition.
The most important articles in this declaration that caught my attention are the following :

• Article “1” :

  

  A copy from the declaration's page

 The Arab Republic of Egypt is a democratic regime is based on citizenship. Islam is the official State religion. Arabic is its official language. The principles of Islamic Sharia of Sunni are the principle source of legislation !! “This article is for the Salafists’ eyes only , of course it is discriminatory against Shia”

• Article “22” :

A National defense council is founded and headed by the president “interim president”. It role is to discuss the security of the country,the budget of the armed forces. It has to be consulted in issuing military and armed forces law.

• Article “24” :

The President’s powers :

1. Legislation role after consulting the cabinet. The role is transferred to the House of representatives as soon as it is elected.
2. To issue the general state’s police as well the public budge and to supervise it
3. Representing the State inside and abroad, Signing international treaties and agreements after the approval of the Cabinet.
4. Appointing the Prime minister, his deputies, the ministers and dismissing them from their positions
5. Appointing the civilian, the military  employees and the political representatives according to the law
6. To declare war after the consulting SCAF and the approval of the National Defense council.
7. To pardon or mitigate punishment according to the law.
8. The other powers are being determined laws and bylaws. 

• Article “25” : 

The prime minister and cabinet’s powers :

1. To join the President in planning the general policies of the state and to supervise its implementation according to the laws and presidential decrees.
2. To coordinate and monitor the work of the ministries and their following general authorities and agencies.
3. To issue the executive and administrative decisions according to laws and bylaws.
4. To prepare the state budget.
5. To prepare the general state plan.
6. To get and grant loans according to the constitution.

• Article “27” :

The President declares state of emergency after the approval of the cabinet according to the law. The state of emergency is for 3 months and does not extend accept after the approval of the public through a referendum.

• Article “28” :

Experts committee is formed by a presidential decree within 15 days from issuing this declaration. The experts committee includes 2 members of the Supreme Constitutional court and its commissioners committee, two judges from judiciary, two judges from State council and four professors of the constitutional law from Egyptian universities. The high councils of the authorities , judiciary and universities mentioned in this article choose their representatives “Did not say how” The committee will propose its amendments for the suspended 2012 constitution within 30 days after its formation.

• Article “29” :

The Committee will show its amendments on another committee made up of 50 members. Those members represent all sects , groups and sectors of Egyptian society especially parties, intellectuals , labor,peasants, unionists , Al Azhar , Egyptian Churches, armed forces, police and public figures. The committee should include at least ten youth and women members “quota limitation”. Each party  and group mentioned should nominate its representative while the cabinet should nominate public figures !! “And how they are elected or approved” The committee will finish the final draft of the constitutional draft in 60 days maximum before it is released for public discussion.

• Article “30” :

The president shall put in to a referendum the draft amendments within 30 days of receiving from the committee.The amendments are effective as soon as they are approved. With in 15 days after approving the amendment , the President will call for a Parliamentary elections in a period that is not less than a month or more than two months. Within a week of holding the first session of the House of representative , a Presidential elections will be announced. The High elections commission will supervise the referendum accordingly.
Articles 28, 29 and 30 include the roadmap for the transitional period. I am tired to do the math honestly.
These are only the articles that caught my eyes , there are other articles other wel in the declaration dealing with freedoms. 
Please read this important analysis by dear friend Bassem Sabry in Al Monitor.

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#Egyelections : Army and Police to Vote and the debate goes on

Yesterday the Supreme constitutional court “SCC” has ruled out for the first time that the army and police personnel can vote in the Egyptian elections and referendums.
This court rule is based upon the constitution issued and approved last year by 64% specifically the following article 55 :

Army and police in the latest referendum

It is a national duty for citizens to participate in public life. Every citizen has the right to vote, run for election, and express his opinion through a referendum. The law specifies these rights.The state commits itself to entering each citizen who is eligible to vote into the voter registry without requiring an application.The state guarantees the peacefulness and integrity of referenda and elections. State organs that interfere in these processes with the goal of influencing them are committing crimes punishable by law.

Other articles the court mentioned in its reasoning : 

Article 33
The citizens enjoy equality before the law. They have identical rights and public duties. There is no discrimination among them.

And

Article 64
Work constitutes a right, a duty, and an honor for every citizen. The state guarantees it on the basis of equality, justice, and equality of opportunity.Forced labor is permissible only to the extent stipulated by law.The public servant works to serve the People; the state awards government employment to citizens according to merit, without favoritism. Any deviation from this is a crime punishable by law.The state guarantees every worker’s right to a fair income and vacation days. It also guarantees pensions, social security, health care, protection against occupational hazards, the availability of safety provisions in the work place, in accordance with the law.Workers may only be fired under circumstances that are specified by law.Peaceful strike is a right, regulated by law.

In other simple words the court ruling depends on the fundamental rights of citizenship and equality as long as there is no clear article that says the army and police personnel are not allowed to participate as voters in the elections and referendums as in past constitutions like in constitution 1971.
In that constitution of 1971 it is clearly says that the citizens allowed to vote according to the regulating laws aka The political rights and elections laws then. It seems that
This is not the first time we have this debate after the 25 January revolution if you remember but this time we got a constitutional court historical ruling. According to the Armed forces in the Wikipedia , there are 468,500 men currently serving. If we add the police to them , then we are speaking about a voting bloc not less than 500,000.
Of course it created a new controversy with supporters and opponents from both sides.
At first I did not understand the position of the Muslim brotherhood because I found Ahmed Rushdie , the famous MB tweep online who is close Presidency extremely happy yesterday announcing that he will be the first volunteer in the Freedom and Justice party campaigns in police stations and military barracks. 
Yet today the position of the Freedom and Justice appeared clearly. Mourad Ali , the official media adviser said the following statement published on the party’s official Facebook Page :

The Constitutional court demand to let the military participate in the elections as voter is strange and raises a lot of questions as if someone was insisting to drag the police and army in the political struggle in any possible way. Is it demanded to transfer the polarization to the military units ? Is there a sane person who accepts to have partisan campaigns in the barracks ? Is it acceptable to have a police officer or an army officer in the elections campaign for one the parties ? For God sake wake up and do not push the army into politics because it has got other scared mission.

This view is supported by the Muslim brotherhood’s current allies in Al Wasat Party and Development and reconstruction party of the Al Gama’a Al Islamiyaa.
Essam Sultan of Al Wasat Party believes that the Constitutional court will destroy the army. Tarek El Zoomer of Al Gama’a Al Islamiyaa attacked the court as well.

بعبارة صغيرة استطاعت المحكمة الدستورية ان تعبث بهيئة الناخبين وأيضا تهدد حياد الجيش والشرطة الﻻزمين لنزاهة وحماية اﻻنتخابات
— د.طارق الزمر (@drtarekelzomor) May 26, 2013

In brief the SCC managed to mess with the voters base in Egypt and to threat the neutrality of police and army needed for fair elections.

Amazingly these Islamist parties are angry from the court ruling which is based upon the constitution that they wrote and supported.
Of course not all those opposing this ruling as Islamists or Pro-Muslim brotherhood supporters. There are other reasons for those people other than the fued between the MB and the SCC as well the MB and army from another hand.
Many of those opposing that right of army and police to vote believe that their votes as a bloc would directed to the supreme commander of the police and army aka the President and his ruling party. That team believes there will be no free will for the officers and soldiers and that they will follow the orders simply as that.
Of course the Pro-civilian state believe that the military and police vote will support only the military candidates like Ahmed Shafik or any other candidate with military background regardless his views and his platform.
Another dilemma where the officers and soldiers especially in the army will vote and whether their polling stations will be under the jurisdiction of normal judiciary or military judiciary aka judicial supervision.
Of course there is another fear as by bringing politics and polarization to the Egyptian army destroying its unity over time like Syrian army and Iraqi army.
Still there are people who believe that it is actually a good thing to give the police and the army their right to vote.
Hafez Abu Saeeda , the head of the Egyptian organization for Human rights tweeted the following :

حقوق المواطنة اهم مظهرها هو حق التصويت وانتخاب السلطتين التشريعية والتنفيذية ولا توجد أي قاعده لحرمان أي فئة من حق التصويت
— hafez abuseada (@hafezabuseada) May 26, 2013

One of the most important features in citizenship is the right to vote the executive and legislative authorities and there is no rule to prohibit any sector from voting

 Liberal politician Amr Hamzawy is also supporting the right of the army and police personnel to vote because this is democracy.
This is valid point. Like any other citizens the officers and soldiers have the right to choose their representatives as any other Egyptian citizen.
Personally I believe all Egyptians should have the right and in the end the army and the police are made of Egyptian citizens. I think in established democracy they have the right to vote but again in established democracy not in struggling democracies in Egypt. It is like a dilemma because established democracies also are built through representations. Already I googled for awhile and I found that it is quite controversial. In fact there is going on debate about it in India , the biggest democracy in the world.
There are lot of fear and mistrust and here I am not referring to the MB and their supporters but to the civilian pro-revolutionaries who got their own concerns that I presented in this post. We are in a very critical time in Egypt , polarization is in its climax. The last thing I want now is divisions in the army due to political polarization 
Nevertheless it is an important debate as well another round of the complicated relation between the current ruling regime or rather the Muslim brotherhood and the army.
On the other hand the SCC has rejected another 4 articles in the proposed elections law once again making it unconstitutional.
By the way for foreign readers , I would like to hear your point of view.

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And The #Egyelections are delayed for Sometime now

And the High Administrative court “HAC” issued its decision today to suspend the parliamentary elections in Egypt and to refer the parliamentary elections law to the Supreme Constitutional Court “SCC” .
This means now the parliamentary elections planned to be hold next April will be adjourned till the Supreme Constitutional Court revises the law.
This was the Presidency’s official reactions announced online to the foreign world.

The Presidency respects Administrative Court ruling to suspend Lower House Elections & refer Elections Law back to the Constitutional Court
— Egyptian Presidency (@EgyPresidency) March 6, 2013

The Presidency reaffirms its respect for the Constitution, Rule of Law and Separation of Powers.
— Egyptian Presidency (@EgyPresidency) March 6, 2013

Now despite the Egyptian presidency has announced that President respects law and constitution to the end of that jazz , we got the amazing and brilliant legal advisor of Morsi Mr. Jadallah Fouad claiming that the presidency will appeal the court ruling !!
The MB followers and members are accusing the SCC ad HAC of being politicized. I will not be surprised that if the MB members and Islamists are mobilized to besiege the SCC once again

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The Shiites are coming , The Shiites Are Coming

Ahmedinajed

I had enough of that new hysteria of media in the middle of the daily madness we face in Egypt nowadays. That hysteria simply revolves about the visit of the minister of tourism Hisham Zaazou to Iran.
The man went to open new market for Egypt in Iran , it is a great opportunity especially in those extreme bad economic and tourism times. We should be thankful  but instead there are hysteria and fear from those future Iranian tourists.
The Islamists are extremely angry from Zaazou’s visit and believe the Iranian tourists will spread Shiism in Egypt and the Salafists are screaming to Morsi “The Shiites are coming , the Shiites are coming” ordering him literality to stop that Shiite touristic invasion in Egypt otherwise they will stand against him till death !!
The liberals too are hysterical about these Iranian tourists as well. They think that brining the Iranian tourists will enforce the religious state in Egypt and that these tourists will be members of the Iranian regime in disguise who came to teach their Egyptian counterparts who control the state.. etc.
I do not know what kind of liberals they are to be honest.I feel that we are dealing here not with liberals but rather with Nationalists. No wonder the Egyptian liberals have failed the test and are not defending the rights of those fellow Egyptian Shiites as they do with the Christians and even the Baha’is.
Already Turkey , the role model of the Muslim brotherhood and its biggest alley after Qatar receives not less than 2 million Iranian tourist annually. I do not see that Turkey has turned in to a Shiite state or even Iranian follower in the region !!
The Iranian tourists will not transfer the Iranian Islamic republic experience but they will bring money. You need money now. For God sake Israeli tourists come and go freely in South Sinai for decades and people are hysterical about future Iranian tourists.
If we are speaking about true Religious tourism in Egypt : Two main target segments should be reached and they are the Christians and the Muslim Shiites. The trip of the Holy family in Egypt and the Holy sites of Ahl El Bayt in Cairo are the main attractions. Of course this can be achieved if you are tolerant enough as a society which is not the case especially now with all that sick polarization and hate.
Needless to say to see this hysteria from those Iranian tourists who have not shown yet in Cairo , I can not stop thinking about Egyptian Shiites. Egypt’s forgotten and less popular Muslims who are destined to face hell whether in time of Mubarak or in time of Morsi. 
It was one of the most ironic moments last month when Sheikh of Al Azhar Ahmed El Tayib actually stood besides Ahmadinejad demanding him to give the Iranian Sunnis and Ahvaz their rights where as he himself , an Egyptian official does not recognize any rights for Egyptian Shiites at all !!
Sheikh Ahmed El Tayib already forgot that the current Constitution approved actually does not recognize Egyptian Muslim Shiites at all. It clearly states in article 219 which was highlighted by human rights organizations that only the Sunni Islamic doctrines are recognized by the Egyptian State as sources of legalization.¹
Yes we got Egyptian Shiite population in Egypt and they will not go any where or disappear as they are Egyptians like you and me. According to foreign estimations there are nearly 1% of Egyptian Muslim population and some think that it is more than that as some Sunni Egyptian Muslims do convert from time to time.
I have done some extensive research about Egyptian Shiites and I found out that like any other group you will find the liberal , the religious extremist and the nationalists among them.They are not monsters who are serving some hidden Iranian agenda. Some of them served in their country’s army including veterans who fought in 1973. They are everywhere from Alexandria to Aswan. Some of them if not most of them hide their true religious faith to avoid trouble. In the end they are Egyptians who are in desperate need to feel that they are not alien or dangerous clandestine society. They are Egyptians who are seeking the rights of full citizenship. 
Unfortunately only in times of moderation and enlightenment you will find attempts to bridge that gap between Sunni and Shiite and unfortunately we live in times of radicalizations whether in Egypt or Iran or in general. People forget that for centuries Egypt had been ruled by Shiite dynasty that founded our Capital “Cairo” and our great mosque “Al Azhar” in some of history’s biggest ironies if you think about it.
The Egyptian Shiites file is extremely big and sad as it does not deal only with regional politics but with sad sectarian religious wrong ideas.
Anyhow I will end my short post with something I heard from one of the top and controversial Shiite figures in Egypt : We have faith in the Egyptians , the real Egyptians who are not radical but moderate non Sectarian Egyptians”
Notes
1. Explanatory article for the second in the Egyptian constitution.

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