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Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court Rejects Appeal Against Protest Law

February 1, 2016
A protester holds a sign that reads, “Against the protest law.” Photo: Tahrir News
A protester holds a sign that reads, “Against the protest law.” Photo: Tahrir News

Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court rejected an appeal aimed to revoke the controversial protest law on Monday.

According to state-owned Al-Ahram, lawyer Hossam Karem had previously presented a request to suspend the implementation of and cancel Egypt’s protest law, which was signed in by interim president Adly Mansour in 2013.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Constitutional Court is currently looking into another case revolving around the constitutionality of the law, Aswat Masriya reported.

The controversial piece of legislation prohibits any gathering of more than  10 people without prior government approval and requires seven different permissions to hold a street demonstration. Violators face up to five years in prison and a fine of EGP 100,000.

It has garnered widespread criticism, particularly from local and international rights organizations. Amnesty International called the law a “serious setback for human rights,” adding it allows for the ban of any opposition protest and gives security forces a legal framework to use excessive force against protesters.

Human Rights Watch said the law “includes a number of vague provisions that undermine the right to peaceful assembly” and that these restrictions violate international standards.

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