A new law passed by parliament could mean that senior military officers will be protected from being prosecuted for their role in the crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood following the ousting of President Morsi. The official name for the law presented is the Law Governing Treatment of Certain Senior Military Commanders of the Armed Forces. It will allow the president to give the status of ‘lifelong reserves’ to certain members of the armed forces. This means that they will enjoy the privileges of sitting ministers, and diplomatic immunity when travelling abroad. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi can choose which military officers he wants to give lifelong reserve status in the military. The precise period over which military officers could gain immunity from crimes committed is July 2013 to January of 2016 – over which time 1000 protesters are said to have been killed. Within that time period, 16,000 to 41,000 were arrested or detained, after which hundreds were handed death sentences. The majority were reprimanded for their support of the State-mandated terrorist group, the Muslim brotherhood; though some were liberal and secular activists. Human rights watch has taken issue with these…
Egyptian Military Officers May Receive Immunity Over 2013 Muslim Brotherhood Crackdown
July 17, 2018
