Proposed Egyptian Constitution - English Translation

7/30/2019 Proposed Egyptian Constitution - English Translation

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Egypt'sdraftconstitutiontranslated

Author:Nariman

Youssef

EgyptIndependentstranslationofthedraftconstitutionwillbeupdatedthroughouttheday.


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CONSTITUTIONPREAMBLE

We,thepeopleofEgypt,In

the

name

of

God

and

with

the

assistance

of

God,

declarethistobe

EgyptsConstitutionandthedocumentofthepioneering,peacefulrevolution,whichwasstartedby

Egyptspromisingyouth,protectedbytheArmedForces,championedbythepatientEgyptianswho

gatheredinTahrirSquareon25January2011toasserttheirrejectionofallformsofinjustice,

oppression,tyranny,plunderandmonopoly,tofullyproclaimtheirrightstoadecentlife,tofreedom,to

socialjusticeandhumandignityallrightsgrantedbyGodbeforebeingprescribedinconstitutionsand

universaldeclarationsofhumanrights;

ApromiseofanewdawnworthyofEgyptshistoryandcivilization,thesamecivilizationthatgave

humanitythefirstalphabet,thatopenedthewaytomonotheismandtheknowledgeoftheCreator,

adornedthepagesofhistorywithcreativity,establishedtheoldeststateonthebanksofthetimeless

Nile,whilefromthebeginningunderstandingthemeaningofidentity,andembodyingthevaluesof

citizenship.

ThegreatEgyptianpeoplehaveregainedtheirfreedomanddignity,andheretheyarenow,goingforth

towardanewtomorrow,morefirmlyjoinedtothehistoricalmoment,withgreaterfaithintheirabilities

andtheirfundamentalprinciples,moredeterminedtoachievetheobjectivesoftheirpeaceful

revolution,optimisticaboutasafefutureundertherubricofafreecountry,readyforhardworkandfor

activeparticipationintheprogressofhumancivilization.

HavingrestoredafreshspiritofunitybetweenEgyptians,menandwomen,thepeoplesrevolution

continues

toward

building

a

modern

democratic

state,

while

preserving

Egypts

spiritual

and

social

values,itsrichanduniqueconstituents,andbuildingontheintegralfundamentalsexpressedinthe

followingprinciples:

One


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Sovereigntyisforthepeople,thesolebeareroftherighttosetuptheauthorities,whichderivetheir

legitimacyfromthepeople,aresubjecttothepeoplescontrol,areboundbythelimitsoftheir

mandatesandconstitutionalresponsibilities,andarecommittedtoprotectingpublicfunds,maintaining

theStatesresources,andestablishingthefundamentalsofjusticeinthedistributionthereof.The

authoritiesshallupholdtheprinciplethatpositionsofpublicserviceamounttoresponsibilitiesand

mandates,not

to

rights

or

privileges,

and

that

their

holders

work

to

serve

the

interests

of

the

citizens.

TwoDemocracyisthesystemofgovernmentestablishedandexpandingthegroundsforpeacefultransferof

power,supportingpoliticalpluralism,ensuringfairelectionsandthepeoplescontributioninthe

decisionmakingprocess.

ThreeThefreedomofcitizensshallbeupheldinallaspectsoflife,freedomofopinionandexpression,and

freedominhousing,propertyandtravel,outoffullbeliefinsuchfreedomasadivineprinciplelaiddown

bytheCreatorinthemotionoftheuniverse.Godhascreatedhumansfreeandgiftedthemwiththe

highestdegreeofrefinement,intelligenceandwisdom.

FourEqualitybeforethelawandequalopportunitiesforallcitizens,menandwomen,withoutdiscrimination

ornepotism,especiallyintheareasofeducation,employment,politicalrights,andeconomicandsocial

rights,prioritizingtheadvancementofsocialjustice.

FiveTheruleoflawisthebasisofgovernment.Thefreedomofindividualsandthelegitimacyofstate

authoritiesareensuredbythesubmissionoftheStateandofindividualstotheruleoflawandthe

Statescommitment

to

the

independence

of

the

judiciary.

The

Egyptian

judiciary

shall

carry

out

its

missionindefendingtheconstitution,upholdingjusticeandprotectingrightsandfreedoms.

Six


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Respectfortheindividual,thecornerstoneofthenation,whosedignityisanaturalextensionof

nationalpride.Further,thereisnodignityforacountryinwhichwomenarenothonored.Womenare

thesistersofmenandholdthefortofmotherhood;theyarehalfofsocietyandpartnersinallnational

gainsandresponsibilities.

SevenUpholdingnationalunityisanobligationofstateandsociety,foritformsthebasisofstabilityand

nationalcohesion,thecornerstoneofbuildingamodernEgyptandofthepathtoprogressand

development.Tothatend,thevaluesoftoleranceandmoderationshallbespread,andtherightsand

freedomsofallcitizensshallbeprotectedwithoutdiscrimination.

Eight

Defendingthelandisadutyandanhonorintheserviceofwhichhumanresourcesandfundsshallbe

mobilized.Asthecountrysprotectiveshield,theArmedForceshaveaspecialplaceinthemindsofthe

Egyptianpeople.TheArmedForcesformaprofessionalandneutralnationalinstitutionthatdoesnot

interfereinpoliticalaffairs.Noothergroupisallowedtoformmilitaryorparamilitarystructuresor

engageinactivitiesofmilitarycharacter.

NineSecurityisagreatblessing.Theroleofsecurityforcesistoprotectindividualsandenforcethemeasures

ofjustice.Therecanbenojusticewithoutprotection,andnoprotectionwithoutsecurityinstitutions

capableofenforcingthestatesauthoritywithinaframeworkofrespectfortheruleoflawandhuman

dignity.

TenPeacebasedonjusticeforthewholeworld,politicalandsocialprogressforallpeoples.Independent

nationaldevelopment

can

only

occur

when

the

creative

potential

of

the

Egyptian

people

is

unleashed,

recallingtheircontributiontotheadvancementofcivilization,forthemselvesandforhumanityasa

whole.

Eleven


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Arabunityisacallofhistoryandofthefuture,andademandofdestinythatcanonlymaterializeunder

theprotectionofanArabnationcapableofwardingoffanythreat,regardlessofitssourceandthe

pretextssupportingit.Suchunityistobereinforcedthroughtheintegrationandbrotherhoodwith

countriesoftheNileValleyandoftheMuslimworld,bothanaturalextensionborneoutofthe

distinctivenessofEgyptspositionontheglobalmap.

TwelveEmphasizingEgyptspioneeringintellectualandculturalroleinthewholeworldandintheregion,

embodiedbyasoftpowerwhichhasbroughtforth,andstilldoes,iconsofEgyptianthought,artand

creativity.Creativefreedomandthesafetyofthinkersshallbeensured,andthestatesresponsibilityfor

thesupportinginstitutionsmaintained:universities,sciencecenters,linguisticandresearchcenters,the

press,thearts,literatureandmassmedia,thenationalchurchandAlAzhar,withitshistoryasa

mainstayofnationalidentity,theArabiclanguageandIslamicSharia,andasabeaconformoderate

enlightenedthought.We,thepeopleofEgypt,

OutoffaithinGodandHisheavenlymessages,

Inrecognitionoftherightofthecountryandthenation,Withawarenessofourresponsibilitiestowardthenationandhumanity,

PledgetostaycommittedtotheprincipleslaidoutinthisPreamble,whichweholdtobeanintegralpart

ofthisConstitutionthatweacceptandgranttoourselves,affirmingourdeterminationtoupholdand

defendit,andassertingthatitshallberespectedbyall.

PARTI:STATEANDSOCIETY

ChapterOne:Politicalprinciples

Article1


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TheArabRepublicofEgyptisanindependentsovereignstate,unitedandindivisible,itssystem

democratic.TheEgyptianpeoplearepartoftheArabandIslamicnations,proudofbelongingtotheNileValleyandAfricaandofitsAsianreach,apositiveparticipantinhumancivilization.

Article2

IslamisthereligionofthestateandArabicitsofficiallanguage.PrinciplesofIslamicShariaarethe

principalsourceoflegislation.

Article3ThecanonprinciplesofEgyptianChristiansandJewsarethemainsourceoflegislationfortheir

personalstatuslaws,religiousaffairs,andtheselectionoftheirspiritualleaders.

Article4AlAzharisanencompassingindependentIslamicinstitution,withexclusiveautonomyoveritsown

affairs,responsibleforpreachingIslam,theologyandtheArabiclanguageinEgyptandtheworld.Al

AzharSeniorScholarsaretobeconsultedinmatterspertainingtoIslamiclaw.

Thepost

of

Al

Azhar

Grand

Sheikh

is

independent

and

cannot

be

dismissed.

The

method

of

appointing

theGrandSheikhfromamongmembersoftheSeniorScholarsistobedeterminedbylaw.

TheStateshallensuresufficientfundsforAlAzhartoachieveitsobjectives.

Alloftheaboveissubjecttolawregulations.

Article5Sovereigntyisforthepeoplealoneandtheyarethesourceofauthority.Thepeopleshallexerciseand

protectthissovereignty,andsafeguardnationalunityinthemannerspecifiedintheConstitution.


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Article6Thepoliticalsystemisbasedontheprinciplesofdemocracyandshura(counsel),citizenship(under

whichallcitizensareequalinrightsandduties),multipartypluralism,peacefultransferofpower,

separationofpowersandthebalancebetweenthem,theruleoflaw,andrespectforhumanrightsand

freedoms;all

as

elaborated

in

the

Constitution.

Nopoliticalpartyshallbeformedthatdiscriminatesonthebasisofgender,originorreligion.

Article7Defenseofthemotherlandanditssoilisasacredduty,andconscriptionisobligatoryinaccordance

withthelaw.

ChapterTwo:Socialandethicalprinciples

Article8TheStateguaranteesthemeanstoachievejustice,equalityandfreedom,andiscommittedto

facilitatingthechannelsofsocialcharityandsolidaritybetweenthemembersofsociety,andtoensure

theprotection

of

persons

and

property,

and

to

working

toward

providing

for

all

citizens;

all

within

the

contextofthelaw.

Article9TheStateshallensuresafety,securityandequalopportunitiesforallcitizenswithoutdiscrimination.

Article10

Thefamilyisthebasisofthesocietyandisfoundedonreligion,moralityandpatriotism.

TheStateiskeentopreservethegenuinecharacteroftheEgyptianfamily,itscohesionandstability,and

toprotectitsmoralvalues,allasregulatedbylaw.


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TheStateshallensurematernalandchildhealthservicesfreeofcharge,andenablethereconciliation

betweenthedutiesofawomantowardherfamilyandherwork.

TheStateshallprovidespecialcareandprotectiontofemalebreadwinners,divorcedwomenand

widows.

Article11

TheStateshallsafeguardethics,publicmoralityandpublicorder,andfosterahighlevelofeducation

andofreligiousandpatrioticvalues,scientificthinking,Arabculture,andthehistoricalandcultural

heritageofthepeople;allasshallberegulatedbylaw.

Article12TheStateshallsafeguardtheculturalandlinguisticconstituentsofsociety,andfostertheArabizationof

education,scienceandknowledge.

Article13Theinstitutionofciviltitlesshallbeprohibited.

ChapterThree:EconomicPrinciples

Article14

Nationaleconomyshallbeorganizedinaccordancewithacomprehensive,constantdevelopmentplan,

ensuringthe

increase

of

national

income,

enhancement

of

standard

of

living,

elimination

of

poverty

and

unemployment,increaseofworkopportunities,andincreaseofproduction.

Thedevelopmentplanshallestablishsocialjusticeandsolidarity,ensureequitabledistribution,protect

consumerrights,andsafeguardtherightsofworkers,dividingdevelopmentcostsbetweencapitaland

laborandsharingtherevenuesjustly.


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Wagesshallbelinkedtoproduction,bridgingincomegapsandestablishingaminimumwagethatwould

guaranteedecentlivingstandardsforallcitizens,andamaximumwageincivilservicepositionswith

exemptionsregulatedbylaw.

Article15

Agricultureisanessentialassetofthenationaleconomy.TheStateshallprotectandincreasefarmland,

workonthedevelopmentofcropandplantvarieties,developandprotectanimalbreedsandfisheries,

achievefoodsecurity,providetherequirementsofagriculturalproduction,itsgoodmanagementand

marketing,andsupportagriculturalindustries.

Thelaw

regulates

the

use

of

land,

in

such

away

as

to

achieve

social

justice,

and

protect

farmers

and

agriculturallaborerfromexploitation.

Article16

TheStateiscommittedtothedevelopmentofthecountrysideandthedesert,workingtoraisethe

standardoflivingofthefarmersandthepeopleofthedesert.

Article17Industryisanessentialassetofthenationaleconomy.TheStateshallprotectstrategicindustries,

supportindustrialdevelopment,andimportnewtechnologiesandtheirapplications.

TheStateshallfostersmallhandicraftindustries.

Article18

ThenaturalresourcesoftheStatebelongtothepeople,whohavearighttotheirrevenues.TheStateis

committedtopreservingsuchresourcesforfuturegenerationsandputtingthemtogooduse.


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Statepropertyisnottobedisposedof.Thefranchisetouse,orthecommitmenttoapublicutility,can

onlybegrantedaccordingtolegalregulations.AllmoneywithnoownerbelongstotheState.

Article19TheNileRiverandwaterresourcesareanationalwealth.TheStateiscommittedtomaintainingand

developingthem,andpreventingabuse.Theuseofsuchresourcesshallberegulatedbylaw.

Article20TheStateshallprotectitscoasts,seas,waterwaysandlakes,maintainmonumentsandnaturereserves,

andremove

any

encroachments.

Article21TheStateguaranteesandprotectslegitimateownershipofallkindsofpublic,cooperativeandprivate

propertyandendowments,asshallberegulatedbylaw.

Article

22

Publicfundsareinviolable.ItisanationaldutyoftheStateandsocietytosafeguardthem.

Article23

TheStateshallsupportcooperativesinallformsandensuretheirindependence.

Article24

Privatepropertyisinviolableandhasafunctionintheserviceofnationaleconomywithoutdeviationor

monopoly.Therightofinheritanceshallbesafeguarded.Privatepropertymaynotbeplacedunder

sequestrationexceptincasesspecifiedbylaw,andwithacourtorder.Ownershipofpropertymaynot

beremovedexceptincaseswherethepublicgoodrequiresandwithjustcompensationpaidin

advance.


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Alloftheaboveshallberegulatedbylaw.

Article25

TheStateiscommittedtorevivingandencouragingthesystemofcharitableendowments.Thewayanendowmentisestablished,themanagementofitsfunds,theirinvestmentandthedistributionof

proceedstothebeneficiaries,shallallberegulatedbylaw,accordingtothetermsofthetrustee.

Article26

Socialjusticeisthefoundationoftaxationandotherpublicfinanceduties.

Publictaxesshallnotbeestablished,modifiedorrepealedexceptbylaw.Thereshallbenoexemptions

exceptinthecasesprescribedbylaw.Nooneshallberequiredtopayadditionaltaxesorfeesexcept

withinthelimitsofthelaw.

Article27Workersshallhaveashareofthemanagementandprofitsofenterprises.Theyshallbecommittedin

turntothedevelopmentofproduction,toprotectingitsmeansandtotheimplementationofplansin

theirproductionunits,inaccordancewiththelaw.

Workersshallberepresentedontheboardsofdirectorsofpublicsectorunitswithinthelimitof50

percentofthenumberofmembersoftheseboards.Thelawshallguaranteeforsmallfarmersandsmall

craftsmen80percentofmembershipontheboardsofdirectorsofagriculturalandindustrial

cooperatives.

Article28

SavingisencouragedandprotectedbytheState.TheStateshallalsosafeguardinsuranceandpension

funds,inaccordancewithlegalregulations.


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Article29Nationalizationshallnotbeallowedexceptforinconsiderationofpublicinterest,inaccordancewith

thelawandagainstfaircompensation.

Article30

Publicsequestrationofpropertyshallbeprohibited.

Privatesequestrationshallnotbeallowedexceptunderacourtjudgment.

PART

II:

RIGHTS

AND

FREEDOMS

ChapterOne:Personalrights

Article31

Dignityistherightofeveryhumanbeing,safeguardedbytheState.

Insultingorshowingcontempttowardanyhumanbeingshallbeprohibited.

Article32

Egyptiannationalityisaright,regulatedbylaw.

Article

33

Allcitizensareequalbeforethelaw.Theyhaveequalpublicrightsanddutieswithoutdiscrimination.

Article34

Individualfreedomisanaturalright,safeguardedandinviolable.


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Article35

Exceptincasesofflagrantedelicto,nopersonmaybearrested,inspected,detainedorpreventedfrom

freemovementexceptunderacourtordernecessitatedbyinvestigations.

Anypersonarrestedordetainedmustbeinformedofthereasonsinwritingwithin12hours,be

presentedtotheinvestigatingauthoritywithin24hoursfromthetimeofarrest,beinterrogatedonlyin

thepresenceofalawyer,andbeprovidedwithalawyerwhenneeded.

Thepersonarrestedordetained,andothers,havetherightofappealtothecourtsagainstthemeasure

ofarrest.Ifadecisionisnotprovidedwithinaweek,releasebecomesimperative.

Thelawregulatestherulesfortemporarydetention,itsdurationanditscauses,andcasesof

entitlementtocompensation,whetherfortemporarydetentionorforasentencecarriedoutthata

courtfinalrulinghasrevoked.

Article36

Anypersonarrested,detainedorwhosefreedomisrestrictedinanyway,shallbetreatedinamanner

preservinghumandignity.Nophysicalormoralharmshallbeinflicteduponthatperson.

Onlyplacesthatarehumanelyandhygienicallyfit,andsubjecttojudicialsupervision,maybeusedfor

detention.

Theviolationofanyoftheaboveisanoffensepunishablebylaw.

Anystatementprovedtohavebeenmadebyapersonunderanyoftheaforementionedformsofduress

orcoercionorunderthethreatthereof,shallbeconsideredinvalidandfutile.

Article37


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Prisonisaplaceofdisciplineandreform,subjecttojudicialsupervision,whereanythingthatiscontrary

tohumandignityoraperson'shealthisprohibited.

TheStateisresponsiblefortherehabilitationofconvictsandfacilitatingadecentlifeforthemaftertheir

release.

Article38

Theprivatelifeofcitizensisinviolable.Postalcorrespondence,wires,electroniccorrespondence,

telephonecallsandothermeansofcommunicationshallhavetheirownsanctityandsecrecyandmay

notbeconfiscatedormonitoredexceptbyacausaljudicialwarrant.

Article39

Privatehomesareinviolable.Withtheexceptionofcasesofimmediatedangeranddistress,theymay

notbeentered,searchedormonitored,exceptincasesdefinedbylaw,andbyacausaljudicialwarrant

whichspecifiesplace,timingandpurpose.Thoseinahomeshallbealertedbeforethehomeisentered

orsearched.

Article40

AllresidentshavearighttosecuritywhichissafeguardedbytheState,andareprotectedbylawagainst

criminalthreats.

Article41

Thesanctityofthehumanbodyisinviolable,andthetraffickingofhumanorgansprohibited.Noperson

maybesubjectedtoanymedicalorscientificexperimentwithoutfree,documentedconsent,andin

accordancewiththeestablishedfoundationsofmedicalscience,inthemannerregulatedbylaw.

Article42

Freedomofmovement,residenceandimmigrationshallbesafeguarded.


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Nocitizenmaybedeportedfromorpreventedfromreturningtothecountry.

Nocitizenshallbepreventedfromleavingthecountry,norplacedunderhousearrest,exceptbya

causaljudicialwarrant,andforadefiniteperiod.

ChapterTwo:Moralandpoliticalrights

Article43

Freedomofbeliefisaninviolableright.

TheStateshallguaranteethefreedomtopracticereligiousritesandtoestablishplacesofworshipfor

thedivinereligions,asregulatedbylaw.

Article44

Insultorabuseofallreligiousmessengersandprophetsshallbeprohibited.

Article45

Freedomofthoughtandopinionshallbeguaranteed.

Everyindividualhastherighttoexpressanopinionandtodisseminateitverbally,inwritingor

illustration,orbyanyothermeansofpublicationandexpression.

Article46

Freedomofcreativityinitsvariousformsistherightofeverycitizen.

TheStateshalladvancescience,literatureandthearts,careforcreatorsandinventors,protecttheir

creationsandinnovations,andworktoapplythemforthebenefitofsociety.


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TheStateshalltakethenecessarymeasurestopreservethenationsculturalheritageandpromote

culturalservices.

Article47

Accesstoinformation,data,documentsandstatistics,andthedisclosureandcirculationthereof,isa

rightguaranteedbythestate,inamannerthatdoesnotviolatethesanctityofprivatelifeortherights

ofothers,andthatdoesnotconflictwithnationalsecurity.

Thelawregulatestherulesforfilingandarchivingpublicdocuments,themeansofaccessto

information,themeansofcomplaintwhenaccessisrefused,andtheconsequentaccountability.

Article48

Freedomofthepress,printing,publicationandmassmediashallbeguaranteed.Themediashallbe

freeandindependenttoservethecommunityandtoexpressthedifferenttrendsinpublicopinion,and

contributetoshapinganddirectinginaccordancewiththebasicprinciplesoftheStateandsociety,and

tomaintainrights,freedomsandpublicduties,respectingthesanctityoftheprivatelivesofcitizensand

therequirementsofnationalsecurity.Theclosureorconfiscationofmediaoutletsisprohibitedexcept

withacourtorder.

Controloverthemediaisprohibited,withtheexceptionofspecificcensorshipthatmaybeimposedin

timesofwarorpublicmobilization.

Article49

Freedomtopublishandownnewspapersofallkindsisaguaranteedsubjectofnotificationforevery

naturalorjuridicalEgyptianperson.

Theestablishingofradiostations,televisionbroadcastinganddigitalmediaisregulatedbylaw.

Article50


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Citizenshavetherighttoorganizepublicmeetings,processionsandpeacefuldemonstrations,unarmed

andbasedonthenotificationregulatedbylaw.

Therighttoprivateassemblyisguaranteedwithouttheneedforpriornotice.Securitypersonnelshall

notattendorinterceptsuchprivatemeetings.

Article51

Citizenshavetherighttoestablishassociationsandcivilinstitutions,subjecttonotificationonly.Such

institutionsshalloperatefreely,andbedeemedlegalpersons.

Authoritiesmay

not

disband

them

or

their

administrative

bodies

without

acourt

order,

in

the

manner

prescribedbythelaw.

Article52

Thefreedomtoformsyndicates,unionsandcooperativesisarightguaranteedbylaw.Theyshallbe

deemedlegalpersons,beformedonademocraticbasis,operatefreely,participateintheserviceof

communityservice,raisingthestandardofproductivityamongtheirmembers,andsafeguardingtheir

assets.

Authoritiesmaynotdisbandthemortheirboardsexceptunderacourtorder.

Article53

Tradeunionsareregulatedbylawandmanagedonademocraticbasis,theaccountabilityoftheir

memberssubjecttoprofessionalcodesofethics.Onetradeunionisallowedperprofession.

Authoritiesmaynotdisbandtheboardsoftradeunionsexceptwithacourtorder,andmaynotplace

themundersequestration.

Article54


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Everyindividualhastherighttoaddresspublicauthoritiesinwritingandunderhisownsignature.

Addressingpublicauthoritiesshouldnotbeinthenameofgroups,withtheexceptionofjuridical

persons.

Article55

Citizenparticipationinpubliclifeandanationalduty:Everycitizenshallhavetherighttovote,runfor

elections,andexpressopinionsinreferendums,accordingtotheprovisionsofthelaw.

TheStateisresponsiblefortheinclusionofthenameofeverycitizenwhoisqualifiedtovoteinthe

votersdatabase

without

waiting

for

an

application.

TheStateshallensurethefairness,validity,impartialityandintegrityofreferendumsandelections.

Interferenceinanythingoftheaboveisacrimepunishablebylaw.

Article56

TheStateshallsafeguardtheinterestsofEgyptianslivingabroad,protectthemandprotecttheirrights

andfreedoms,

help

them

perform

their

public

duties

toward

the

Egyptian

State

and

society,

and

encouragetheircontributiontothedevelopmentofthenation.

Theirparticipationinelectionsandreferendumsisregulatedbylaw.

Article57

TherighttopoliticalasylumshallbegrantedbytheStatetoeveryforeignerdeprivedintheircountryof

publicrightsandfreedomsguaranteedbytheConstitution.

Extraditionofpoliticalrefugeesisprohibited.


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Alloftheaboveshallbesubjecttolawregulations.

ChapterThree:Economicandsocialrights

Article58

HighqualityeducationisarightguaranteedbytheStateforeverycitizen.Itisfreethroughoutitsstages

inallgovernmentinstitutions,obligatoryintheprimarystage,andtheStateshallworktoextend

obligationtootherstages.

TheStatesupportsandencouragestechnicaleducation,andoverseeseducationinallitsforms.

Alleducationalinstitutions,publicandprivate,localandotherwiseshallabidebytheStateeducational

plansandgoals,andrealizethelinkbetweeneducationandtheneedsofsocietyandproduction.

Article59

TheStateshallguaranteethefreedomofscientificandliteraryresearch.Theautonomyofuniversities,

scientificandlinguisticacademies,andresearchcentersshallbesafeguarded;theStateshallprovide

themwith

asufficient

percentage

of

the

national

revenue.

Article60

TheArabiclanguageisaprimarysubjectinallstagesofeducationinalleducationalinstitutions.

Religiouseducationandnationalhistoryarecoresubjectsofpreuniversityeducationinallitsforms.

Universitiesshallbecommittedtotheteachingofethicspertainingtothevariousdisciplines.

Article61


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TheStateshalldevelopacomprehensiveplantoeradicateilliteracyacrossages,formalesandfemales,

tobeexecutedwithsocialparticipationwithin10yearsfromthedateoftheconstitution.

Article62

Healthcareisarightofeverycitizen,andtheStateshallallocateasufficientpercentageofthenational

revenue.

TheStateshallprovidehealthcareservicesandhealthinsuranceinaccordancewithjustandhigh

standards,tobefreeofchargeforthosewhoareunabletopay.

Allhealth

facilities

shall

provide

various

forms

of

medical

treatment

to

every

citizen

in

cases

of

emergencyorlifedanger.

TheStateshallsuperviseallhealthfacilities,inspectthemforqualityofservices,andmonitorall

materials,productsandmeansofhealthrelatedpublicity.Legislationtoregulatesuchsupervisionshall

bedrafted.

Article63

Workisaright,dutyandhonorforeverycitizen,guaranteedbytheStateonthebasisoftheprinciples

ofequality,justiceandequalopportunities.

Thereshallbenoforcedlaborexceptinaccordancewithlaw.

Publicsectoremployeesshallworkintheserviceofthepeople.TheStateshallemploycitizensonthe

basisof

merit,

without

nepotism

or

mediation.

Any

violation

is

acrime

punishable

by

law.

TheStateguaranteesforeveryworkertherighttofairpay,vacation,retirementandsocialsecurity,

healthcare,protectionagainstoccupationalhazards,andtheapplicationofoccupationalsafety

conditionsintheworkplace,asprescribedbylaw.


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Workersmaynotbedismissedexceptinthecasesprescribedbylaw.

Theright

to

peaceful

strike

is

regulated

by

law.

Article64

Withregardstothemartyrsandtheinjuredofwars,ofthe25Januaryrevolution,andofnationalduty,

theStateshallhonorthemandsupporttheirfamilies,aswellaswarveteransandtheinjured,the

familiesofthosemissingatwar,andsimilarcases.

They,theirchildrenandtheirwivesshallhavepriorityinemploymentopportunities.

Alloftheaboveshallberegulatedbylaw.

Article65

TheStateshallprovidesocialinsuranceservices.

Allcitizensunabletosupportthemselvesandtheirfamiliesincasesofincapacity,unemploymentand

oldagehavetherighttosocialinsuranceguaranteeingaminimumsustenance.

Article66

TheStateshallprovideanadequatepensionforsmallscalefarmers,agriculturalworkers,casual

workers,andallwhodonothaveaccesstothesocialinsurancesystem.

Allaresubjecttolawregulations.

Article67


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Adequatehousing,cleanwaterandhealthyfoodaregivenrights.

Thestateadoptsanationalhousingplan,itsbasisinsocialjustice,thepromotionofindependent

initiativesandhousingcooperatives,andtheregulationoftheuseofnationalterritoryforthepurposes

ofconstruction,inaccordancewithpublicinterestandwiththerightsoffuturegenerations.

Article68

Everyonehastherighttoplaysports.

Stateandsocialinstitutionsshallstrivetodiscovertalentedathletesandsupportthem,andtakethe

necessarymeasures

to

encourage

exercise.

Article69

Allindividualshavetherighttoahealthyenvironment.TheStateshallsafeguardtheenvironment

againstpollution,andpromotetheuseofnaturalresourcesinamannerthatpreventsdamagetothe

environmentandpreservestherightsoffuturegenerations.

Article70

Everychild,fromthemomentofbirth,hastherighttoapropername,familycare,basicnutrition,

shelter,healthservices,andreligious,emotionalandcognitivedevelopment.

TheStateshallcareandprotectthechildinthecaseofthelossoffamily.TheStatealsosafeguardsthe

rightsofdisabledchildren,andtheirrehabilitationandintegrationintosociety.

Childlaborisprohibitedbeforepassingtheageofcompulsoryeducation,injobsthatarenotfitfora

childsage,orthatpreventthechildfromcontinuingeducation.


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Achildmayonlybedetainedforaspecifiedperiod,mustbeprovidedwithlegalassistance,andbeheld

inaconvenientlocation,takingintoaccountseparationaccordingtogender,agesandtypeofcrime,

andbeheldawayfromplacesofadultdetention.

Article71

TheStateshallprovidecareforchildrenandyouth;shallsupporttheirdevelopmentspiritually,morally,

culturally,educationally,physically,psychologically,sociallyandeconomically;andshallempowerthem

foractivepoliticalparticipation.

Article72

TheStateshallprovideforpeoplewithdisabilitieshealth,economicandsocialcare,andshallprovide

themwith

employment

opportunities,

raise

social

awareness

toward

them,

and

adapt

public

facilities

to

suittheirneeds.

Article73

Allformsofoppression,exploitationandsextraffickingareprohibitedandcriminalizedbylaw.

ChapterFour:Guaranteesfortheprotectionofrightsandfreedoms

Article74

SovereigntyofthelawshallbethebasisofruleintheState.

Theindependenceandimmunityofthejudiciaryaretwobasicguaranteestosafeguardrightsand

freedoms.

Article75

Therighttolitigationisinalienableandguaranteedforall.


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TheStateshallguaranteeaccessibilityofjudicatureforlitigants,andrapiddecisiononcases.

Anystipulationofimmunityofanyactoradministrativedecisionfromthecontrolofthejudicatureis

prohibited.

Nopersonshallbetriedexceptbeforetheirnaturaljudge;exceptionalcourtsareprohibited.

Article76

Penaltyshallbepersonalized.Thereshallbenocrimeorpenaltyexceptbyvirtueofthelaw.Nopenalty

shallbeinflictedexceptbyajudicialsentence.Penaltyshallbeinflictedonlyforactscommitted

subsequentto

the

promulgation

of

the

law

prescribing

it.

Article77

Nocriminalactionshallbemadeexceptunderanorderfromajudiciarybody,saveforcasesdefinedby

law.

Adefendantisinnocentuntilprovenguiltyinlegaltrial,andgrantedtherightofdefense.Everyperson

accusedof

afelony

shall

be

provided

with

adefense

lawyer.

Minor

offenses,

in

which

adefense

lawyer

isalsorequired,aredeterminedbylaw.

Thelawregulatestherulesofappealforfeloniesandoffenses.

Thestateshallprovideprotectionforvictimsofcrime,witnesses,defendantsandinformantswhere

necessary.

Article78

Therightofdefenseinpersonorbyproxyisguaranteed.


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Thelawsecures,forfinanciallyincapablecitizens,meanstoresorttojusticeandtodefendtheirrights.

Article79

Sentencesshall

be

issued

and

enforced

in

the

name

of

the

people.

Abstention

from

or

obstruction

of

enforcingsuchsentencesonthepartoftheconcernedcivilservantsisconsideredacrimepunishableby

law.Insuchcase,apersonissuedasentenceinhisfavorshallhavetherighttolodgeadirectcriminal

actionbeforethecompetentcourt.

Article80

AnyencroachmentonanyoftherightsandfreedomsguaranteedbytheConstitutionshallbe

consideredacrimeforwhichcriminalandcivillawsuitshallnotbeforfeitedbyprescription.TheState

shallgrant

afair

compensation

to

the

victim

of

such

encroachment.

Theinjuredpartyshallhavetherighttolodgeadirectcriminalaction.

TheNationalCouncilforHumanRightsshallinformthePublicProsecutionofanyviolationofthese

rights,mayjointheinjuredpartyinacivilaction,andmayappealontheirbehalf.

Article81

Rightsandfreedomspertainingtotheindividualcitizenshallnotbesubjecttodisruptionordetraction.

Nolawthatregulatesthepracticeoftherightsandfreedomsshallincludewhatwouldconstraintheir

essence.

Suchrightsandfreedomsshallbepracticedinamannernotconflictingwiththeprinciplespertainingto

StateandsocietyincludedinPartIofthisConstitution.

PARTIII:PUBLICAUTHORITIES


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ChapterOne:Legislativeauthority

Section1:Commonprovisions

Article82

ThelegislativepowershallconsistofthePeoplesAssemblyandtheShuraCouncil.

EachshallexercisetheirrespectiveauthoritiesassetoutintheConstitution.

Article83

MembershipofthePeoplesAssemblyandtheShuraCouncilmaynotbecombined.

Othercasesofincompatibilitymaybespecifiedbylaw.

Article84

Savein

exceptional

cases

defined

by

law,

members

of

either

the

Peoples

Assembly

or

the

Shura

Council

aretobefullydevotedtotheiroffices,withanyotherjoborpostkeptopenfortheirreturn,in

accordancewiththeprovisionsofthelaw.

Article85

AMemberofaLegislativeHouseisunconditionallyrepresentativeofthepopulationasawhole.

Article86

Priortothestartofhisorhertenure,aMembershalltakethefollowingoathbeforehisorher

AssemblyorCouncil:IswearbyAlmightyGodtoloyallyupholdtherepublicansystem,torespectthe

Constitutionandthelaw,tofullylookaftertheinterestsofthepeople,andtosafeguardthe

independenceandterritorialintegrityofthemotherland.


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Article87

TheCourtofCassationshallhavefinaljurisdictionoverthevalidityofmembershipsinbothHouses.

Challengesshallbesubmittedtothecourtwithinaperiodnotexceeding30 daysfromthe

announcementofthefinalelectionresults,andaverdictshallbepassedwithin60daysfromthedateof

receiptofthechallenge.

Whereamembershipisdeemedinvalid,itbecomesvoidfromthedatetheverdictisreportedto

AssemblyorCouncil.

Article88

Throughouthisorhertenure,noMemberofaLegislativeHousemay,inpersonofthroughan

intermediary,purchaseorrentanyStateproperty,leaseorselltoorbarterwiththeStateanypartof

theirownproperty,orconcludeacontractwiththeStateasvendor,supplierorcontractor.

MembersshallprovidefinancialdisclosuresandpresentthemtotheirAssemblyorCouncil,atthestart

andattheendoftheirtenure,aswellasattheendofeachyear.

If,inrelationtotheirmembershipinaLegislativeHouse,Membersshouldreceivecashorinkindgifts,

suchgiftsshallgointothePublicTreasury.

Alloftheaboveissubjecttoregulationbylaw.

Article89

Membersof

the

Legislative

Houses

shall

not

be

held

to

account

for

any

opinions

pertaining

to

their

tasksintheAssemblyorCouncil.

Article90


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Itisprohibited,exceptincasesofflagrantedelicto,totakecriminalactionagainstMembersofthe

LegislativeHouseswithoutpriorpermissionfromtheirAssemblyorCouncil.Ifnotinsession,permission

mustbegrantedbytheCouncilOffice,andtheAssemblyorCouncilnotifiedatthefirstsubsequent

sessionofanymeasurestaken.

Inallcases,ifarequestforpermissiontotakelegalactionagainstaMemberofCouncilorParliament

doesnotreceivearesponsewithin30days,thepermissionistobeconsideredgranted.

Article91

Membersshallreceivearemunerationdeterminedbythelaw.

Article92

TheseatsofboththePeoplesAssemblyandtheShuraCouncilareinCairo.

However,inexceptionalcircumstances,eitherofthemmayholdmeetingselsewhere,attherequestof

thePresidentoftheRepublicoronethirdofthemembersoftheAssemblyorCouncil.

Anymeetings

otherwise

shall

be

deemed

illegitimate

and

the

resolutions

passed

therein

shall

be

consideredvoid.

Article93

ThesessionsofthePeoplesAssemblyandtheShuraCouncilshallbeheldinpublic.

However,closedsessionsmaybeheldattherequestofthePresidentoftheRepublic,thePrime

Minister,oratleast20ofitsmembers.TheAssemblyorCouncilshallthendecidewhetherthedebate

onthequestionsubmittedtheretoshalltakeplaceinpublicorclosedsessions.

Article94


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ThePresidentoftheRepublicshallconvokethePeoplesAssemblyandtheShuraCouncilfortheir

ordinaryannualsessionsbeforethefirstThursdayofOctober.Ifnotconvoked,theCouncilsare

prescribedbytheConstitutiontomeetonthesaidday.

Theordinarymeetingsessionshallcontinueforatleasteightmonths.ThePresidentoftheRepublic

shallbringeachsessiontoaclosewiththeapprovaloftheCouncils,andinthecaseofthePeoples

Assembly,onlyafterthegeneralbudgetoftheStatehasbeenadopted.

Article95

Whennecessary,thePeoplesAssemblyortheShuraCouncilmaybecalledtoanextraordinary

meeting,bythePresidentoftheRepublic,bytheCabinet,oruponarequestsignedbyatleast10

CouncilorAssemblymembers.

Article96

ThemeetingoftheAssemblyorCouncil,andtheresolutionstheypass,shallnotbeconsideredvalid

unlessattendedbythemajorityofitsmembers.

Incasesotherthanthosestipulatingaspecialmajority,resolutionsshallbeadoptedbasedonan

absolutemajority

of

the

members

present.

In

case

of

atie

vote,

the

matter

in

deliberation

shall

be

deemedrejected.

Article97

EachCouncilshallelect,inthefirstmeetingofitsregularannualsession,aspeakerandtwodeputy

speakersforthefulllegislativeterminthecaseofthePeoplesAssembly,andforhalfofthelegislative

terminthecaseoftheShuraCouncil.Iftheseatofeitherbecomesvacant,theCouncilorAssemblyshall

electareplacement,whosetermwilllastuntiltheendofitspredecessors.

Inallcases,onethirdofthemembersofeitherCouncilcouldrequestanewelectionoftheSpeakeror

DeputySpeakersinthefirstmeetingoftheregularannualsession.

Article98


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IfthepresidencyistemporarilyassumedbytheSpeakerofthePeoplesAssemblyoroftheShura

Council,saidCouncilshallbechairedbytheolderofthetwoDeputySpeakers.

Article99

EachCouncilshalllaydownitsownbylawsregulatingitsworkandthemannerofpracticingits

functions,tobepublishedintheOfficialGazette.

Article100

EachCouncilshallmaintainitsinternalorder,aresponsibilityassumedbyeachCouncilsSpeaker.

NoarmedforcesmaybepresentwithinorinvicinityofeitheroftheLegislativeHousesexceptatthe

requestoftheCouncilsSpeaker.

Article101

ThePresidentoftheRepublic,theCabinet,andeverymemberofthePeoplesAssemblyshallhavethe

righttoproposelaws.

EverydraftlawshallbereferredtoaspecialistcommitteeoftheAssembly,whichshallstudyitand

submitareport.

DraftlawspresentedbymembersofthePeoplesAssemblyshallnotbereferredtothatcommittee

beforebeingfirstendorsedbytheProposalsCommitteeandapprovedforconsiderationbythe

Assembly.ReasonsforrejectionmustbepresentediftheProposalsCommitteedoesnotendorsea

proposalforconsideration.

AdraftlawproposedbyamemberbutrejectedbytheAssemblymaynotbepresentedagainduringthe

samelegislativeterm.

Article102


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NeitheroftheLegislativeHousesmaypassabillwithoutseekingconsultation.

EachCouncilhastherighttoapplyamendmentsandbreakdownexistingclausesorsuggested

amendments.

EachbillpassedbyoneoftheCouncilsshallbepassedontotheother,whichinturnshallnotdelayitfor

morethan60days,excludingthelegislativerecess.Itshallnotbeconsideredalawunlesspassedby

bothCouncils.

Article103

Incase

of

legislative

dispute

between

the

two

Councils,

ajoint

committee

of

20

members

shall

be

formed,10selectedbyeachCouncilfromamongitsmembersandbasedonthenominationsofits

GeneralCommittee.Thejointcommitteeshallthenproposethewordingofthedisputedclauses.

TheproposalsarethenpresentedtoeachCouncil;ifanagreementisnotreached,thecaseistakento

thePeoplesAssemblytoreachadecisionbasedonatwothirdsmajorityvote.

Article104

ThePeoplesAssemblyshallnotifythePresidentoftheRepublicofanylawpassedforthePresidentto

issuethenewlawwithin15daysfromthedateofreceivingit.IncasethePresidentobjectstothedraft

law,itmustbereferredbacktotheAssemblywithin30days.

Ifthedraftlawisnotreferredbackwithinthisperiod,orifitisapprovedagainbyamajorityoftwo

thirdsofthemembers,itshallbeconsideredalawandshallbedisseminatedassuch.

IfitisnotapprovedbytheAssembly,itmaynotbepresentedinthesamesessionbeforefourmonths

havepassedfromthedateofthedecision.

Article105


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EverymemberofthePeoplesAssemblyorShuraCouncilisentitledtoaddressquestionstothePrime

Ministeroranyofhisdeputiesorministersconcerningmatterswithintheirrespectivejurisdiction.They

inturnshallbeobligedtoanswersuchquestions.

TheMembermaywithdrawthequestionatanytime,andthesamequestionmaynotbetransformed

intoaninterrogationwithinthesamesession.

Article106

AnyMemberofeitherCouncilmayproposetothePrimeMinister,oneofhisdeputiesoraministerthe

discussionofapublicissue.

Article107

Any20membersofthePeoplesAssembly,or10oftheShuraCouncil,mayrequestthediscussionofa

publicissuetoobtainclarificationonthegovernmentspolicyinitsregard.

Article108

AnyMemberofthePeoplesAssemblyortheShuraCouncilhastherighttoobtaindataorinformation

pertainingtotheirownperformanceattheCouncil,takingintoaccounttheprovisionsofArticle47of

theConstitution.

Article109

CitizensmaysubmitwrittenproposalstoeitherCouncilregardingpublicissues.

CitizensmayalsosubmitcomplaintstoeitherCounciltobereferredtotherelevantministers.Basedon

theCouncils

request,

the

minister

may

provide

aclarification,

and

the

citizen

who

issued

the

complaint

shallbekeptinformed.

Article110


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ThePrimeMinister,hisdeputies,ministersandtheirdeputiesmayattendthesessionsandcommittees

oftheCouncils.TheirattendancemaybeobligatoryifrequestedbyeitherCouncil.Theymaybeassisted

byhighrankingofficialsoftheirchoice.

Theyshallbeheardwhenevertheyrequesttospeak;theyshallanswerquestionspertainingtoissuesin

discussion,butshallhavenocountedvotewhenvotesaretaken.

Article111

EachCouncilacceptstheresignationofitsmembers,whichmustbesubmittedinwriting,andtobe

acceptedmustnotbesubmittedafteraCouncilhasstartedmeasureofrevokingmembershipagainst

theresigningMember.

Article112

MembershipofeitherCouncilmayonlyberevokedifaMemberhaslosttrust,statusoranyofthe

membershiprequirementsthatwereprerequisitesfortheirelection,oriftheyhaveviolatedtheduties

ofthemembership.

DecisiononrevokingmembershipshallbeissuedbyamajorityoftwothirdsoftheCouncilinquestion.

Article113

Iftheseatofamemberbecomesvacantatleastsixmonthsbeforetheendofterm,thevacantposition

mustbefilledinaccordancewiththelawwithinsixtydaysfromthedatethevacancyisfirstreported.

ThetermofthenewMembershallbecomplementarytothatofthepredecessor.


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EditedbySaraEdmundsandLindsayCarroll

PublishingDate:

Fri,30/11/2012 21:20

SourceURL(retrievedon01/12/2012 06:56):http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/1278681

Proposed Egyptian Constitution - English Translation

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