Latest news with #CriminalProceduresLaw
Al-Ahram Weekly
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Criminal Procedures Law approved - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Following three years of preparation and five months of extensive discussions, parliament finally approved the 544-article Criminal Procedures Law on Tuesday. The bill — which sets out the procedures for investigating, prosecuting, and trying criminal cases — received semi-final approval on 24 February. Speaker Hanafi Gebali said the law would be finalised only after a thorough and legal revision. The law includes six sections which cover criminal prosecution, evidence collection, courts, appeals, enforcement, and international judicial cooperation over criminal matters. The law, which initially consisted of 540 articles, gained four new articles during the debate. One gave the justice minister the authority to issue executive orders to implement the law, and another that annuls capital punishment when reconciliation is accepted by the victims' family, in accordance with Islamic Sharia. Gebali said that for decades, legislative stagnation had affected criminal procedures 'and during those decades numerous efforts have attempted to formulate a modern law for Egypt that is worthy of the aspirations of its people, but they have stumbled repeatedly. The current parliament is credited with having breathed the spirit of change into outdated texts, redrafting them to keep pace with modern times and which respond to the needs of society.' Gebali explained how the drafting of the law began with the formation of a subcommittee, a unique parliamentary precedent, consisting of MPs, officials, and legal specialists. 'This committee changed into a vibrant workshop and its door was opened to listen to views from all ideological backgrounds because it honestly believes that constructive dialogue leads to balanced and credible legislation,' he said. Representatives from the Bar Association, the National Council for Human Rights, the Senate, and the Interior Ministry took part in the debates. Gebali added that 'we do not claim perfection in drafting and discussing this law because we know that it will have to be amended every now and then to be in line with changing times.' Justice Minister Adnan Al-Fangari described the approval of the new law as a defining moment in the history of Egypt because it preserves constitutional rights, serves the interests of society, and affirms commitment to its security and stability. 'It also guarantees fair trials, reinforces respect of human rights and reduces the length of pretrial detention,' Al-Fangari said. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mahmoud Fawzi said the final approval of the new law should be viewed as an exceptional moment in the history of Egypt's legal and parliamentary system. 'The new legislation will replace the law which has been in place since 1951, thanks in large part to cooperation between the government and parliament,' Fawzi said. The Criminal Procedures Law included a number of articles that sparked widespread controversy among lawyers, journalists, judges and the National Dialogue's Board of Trustees. Most of the criticism was directed at Article 123 which relates to pretrial detention. The Press Syndicate proposed that pretrial detention be revoked altogether in favour of alternatives such as electronic surveillance and house arrest. The proposal was rejected by Justice Ministry consultants as 'impractical'. Minister Al-Fangari said Article 123 includes guarantees that excessive and indefinite use of pretrial detention will not be used and that it meets the demands of civil society. The final draft of Article 123 reduces the maximum period of pretrial detention for misdemeanours from four to six months, for felonies from 12 to 18, and for crimes that carry the death penalty or life imprisonment from 18 to 24 months. Article 523 was another sticking point. It states that individuals wrongly detained pending trial are entitled to financial compensation from the government but stipulates that individuals seeking compensation have not been detained pending trial in other cases and have been acquitted of all charges. Three articles — 79, 80, and 82 — also triggered a backlash. The articles allow prosecutors, after obtaining permission from a judge, to issue an order to seize all letters, messages, telegrams, newspapers, publications, and parcels, and to order the monitoring of wired and wireless communications, social media accounts and applications and their various contents that are not available to everyone, emails, text messages, and audio and video messages, and to place specific mobile phones, electronic websites and other technical devices under surveillance, and to make recordings of conversations that take place in private. The orders to seize, view, monitor or record must be for a period not exceeding 30 days. The judge may renew this period for one or more similar periods. Fawzi argued that these articles were necessary because they are considered useful measures in revealing the truth in a felony or misdemeanour. According to Fawzi, the bill includes articles that protect private lives and guarantee personal freedoms. First, he said, the law explicitly stipulates that homes are inviolable and may be entered, searched, monitored, and eavesdropped only after obtaining a judicial order specifying the place, time and purpose thereof. 'The law does not give police officers free reign to search homes,' said Fawzi. He indicated that for the first time the law allows the use of technology to notify defendants of legal proceedings and conduct remote trials. A telephone notification centre with the jurisdiction of each district court affiliated with the Justice Ministry will be established and linked to the Civil Status Sector to send telephone and electronic notifications, a step that represents a breakthrough in the judicial system in Egypt. The law also restricts the authority of travel ban orders to be within the jurisdiction of the public prosecutor or his deputy, or the competent investigating judge. It stipulates that the ban order be issued with reasons for a specific period. Individuals will also have the right to appeal the order while the court should adjudicate it within a period not exceeding 15 days from the date of it being reported. The law also provides effective legal protection for witnesses, informants, experts, victims and defendants, and adding further guarantees for the right to a defence by establishing the principle of no trial without a lawyer, which allows each defendant to have a lawyer present. In the event that there is no lawyer, the draft law obliges the investigating or trial authority to appoint a lawyer to defend the defendant at all stages of investigation and trial, activating the protection of the rights of women and children and providing the necessary assistance to people with disabilities and the elderly. * A version of this article appears in print in the 1 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Zawya
28-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Plan to resolve old building violations in Bahrain
Bahrain - Thousands of homeowners could be provided with relief under an initiative to drop old residential and social housing violations and allow reconciliation for unrecorded violations instead of strict penalties. The move, spearheaded by Northern Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman Abdulla Al Thawadi, was unanimously approved during a recent council meeting. The move aims to resolve long-standing building violations, particularly in residential areas and social housing projects. The proposal recommends dropping old building violations by applying Articles 18 and 383 of the Criminal Procedures Law, which allows violations to be dismissed after a certain period. It also seeks reconciliation in cases where no official violation record exists, instead of imposing penalties. Mr Al Thawadi stressed the importance of resolving this issue, which has been dragging on for years. 'Many homeowners find themselves in a difficult situation where they cannot renovate or expand their homes due to unresolved building violations,' he explained. 'This proposal provides a fair and practical solution that benefits both the government and citizens. 'If implemented, this initiative could provide relief to thousands of homeowners while streamlining Bahrain's urban planning framework.' Mr Al Thawadi highlighted that recent urban development regulations support such measures, making it easier for citizens to rectify their situations while avoiding unnecessary financial burdens. 'In a news article in 2022, the former works, municipalities affairs and urban planning minister said that old and new construction violations are subject to regularisation, except in cases where legal action is explicitly required,' he explained. 'There are economic and social benefits associated with reconciliation of old violations, which can generate revenue for the municipality before they are automatically dropped due to the statute of limitations. 'The introduction of new urban planning standards calls for flexible approaches to older violations. 'Some violations occur in social housing projects due to changes in unit sizes or family expansions, making strict enforcement impractical, illogical and unreasonable.' He added that many homeowners cannot secure housing renovation loans due to unresolved violations. 'Since Bahrain's Eskan (Housing) Bank requires a valid building permit, old violations prevent citizens from accessing financial assistance.' The council's financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Dr Mohsin Abdulla also supported the move, highlighting its positive impact on urban development and social stability. 'We must recognise that urban development is a dynamic process,' he stated. 'This proposal balances legal enforcement with social realities, ensuring that families are not unfairly burdened by outdated violations. 'At the same time, it encourages compliance with new regulations.' The proposal has been referred to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for review.
Leaders
15-03-2025
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Approves Methamphetamine-related Offenses as Major Crimes with Detention
Saudi Arabia has approved a new rule stipulating that all criminal offenses related to methamphetamine (Shabu) shall be considered as major crimes requiring detention, according to Saudi Gazette. The Attorney General's Decision No. 110 issued on 1 Ramadan 1446 AH amends a previous regulation (Decision No. 1 dated 1 Muharram 1442 AH) by adding Clause No. 26, which states: 'All criminal offenses related to methamphetamine (Shabu) are classified as major crimes requiring detention.' Known as ice or crystal meth, Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that has powerful euphoric effects similar to those of cocaine, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Therefore, the new decision aligns with the Kingdom's national efforts to combat drug abuse and curb its spread due to its severe health and security risks. According to the Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al-Mujib, the classification covers all offenses related to methamphetamine, such as possession, smuggling, trafficking, acquisition, receipt, storage, transportation, purchase, or use when intended for personal consumption. Furthermore, any attempt to produce or manufacture methamphetamine represents a major offense under this regulation. In line with Article 112 of the Criminal Procedures Law, the decision authorizes the Attorney General to determine major crimes requiring detention and publish them in the official gazette. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia hosts a forum on combating human trafficking crimes Saudi Arabia Approves New Laws on Women's Rights, Marriage Age, Child Custody Are You an Influencer in Saudi Arabia? Here are New Law Regulations Short link : Post Views: 1
Gulf Insider
15-03-2025
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Designates Methamphetamine-Related Offenses As Major Crimes Requiring Detention
Saudi Arabia's Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al-Mujib has approved the classification of all criminal offenses related to methamphetamine (Shabu) as major crimes requiring detention. The decision aligns with the Kingdom's national efforts to combat drug abuse and curb its spread, given the severe health and security risks associated with methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine is known to cause serious psychological and behavioral disorders, contributing to rising crime and violence rates. The new classification ensures that strict legal measures are enforced to address this issue decisively. The Attorney General's Decision No. 110 issued on 1 Ramadan 1446 AH amends a previous regulation (Decision No. 1 dated 1 Muharram 1442 AH) by adding Clause No. 26, which states: 'All criminal offenses related to methamphetamine (Shabu) are classified as major crimes requiring detention.' This classification covers all offenses connected to methamphetamine, including possession, smuggling, trafficking, acquisition, receipt, storage, transportation, purchase, or use when intended for personal consumption. Additionally, attempted production or manufacturing of methamphetamine is also considered a major offense under this regulation. The decision is in line with Article 112 of the Criminal Procedures Law, which authorizes the Attorney General — after coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Presidency of State Security — to determine major crimes requiring detention and publish them in the official gazette. In a separate aspect of Saudi Arabia's anti-drug efforts, Article 42 of the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control Law allows drug users and addicts to seek treatment voluntarily without facing legal action. If an individual, or their relative, requests treatment, no criminal charges will be filed, provided that any illicit substances in their possession are surrendered or disclosed to the authorities.
Zawya
14-03-2025
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia designates methamphetamine-related offenses as major crimes requiring detention
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al-Mujib has approved the classification of all criminal offenses related to methamphetamine (Shabu) as major crimes requiring detention. The decision aligns with the Kingdom's national efforts to combat drug abuse and curb its spread, given the severe health and security risks associated with methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine is known to cause serious psychological and behavioral disorders, contributing to rising crime and violence rates. The new classification ensures that strict legal measures are enforced to address this issue decisively. The Attorney General's Decision No. 110 issued on 1 Ramadan 1446 AH amends a previous regulation (Decision No. 1 dated 1 Muharram 1442 AH) by adding Clause No. 26, which states: "All criminal offenses related to methamphetamine (Shabu) are classified as major crimes requiring detention." This classification covers all offenses connected to methamphetamine, including possession, smuggling, trafficking, acquisition, receipt, storage, transportation, purchase, or use when intended for personal consumption. Additionally, attempted production or manufacturing of methamphetamine is also considered a major offense under this regulation. The decision is in line with Article 112 of the Criminal Procedures Law, which authorizes the Attorney General — after coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Presidency of State Security — to determine major crimes requiring detention and publish them in the official gazette. In a separate aspect of Saudi Arabia's anti-drug efforts, Article 42 of the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control Law allows drug users and addicts to seek treatment voluntarily without facing legal action. If an individual, or their relative, requests treatment, no criminal charges will be filed, provided that any illicit substances in their possession are surrendered or disclosed to the authorities. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
