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Al-Ahram Weekly
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Tenants lose, landlords win? - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
The new government-drafted rent law has been approved by parliament despite objections from MPs and tenant groups. Opposition MPs launched a scathing attack on the government-drafted bill regulating old rents in residential and non-residential properties in Egypt this week, though this did not stop the bill being passed by the House of Representatives, the lower house of Egypt's parliament, on 3 July. Several political parties, including the Tagammu, the Egyptian Socialist Democratic Party, Modern Egypt, Wafd, the Justice Party, and the Reform and Development Party, as well as a number of independent MPs, announced their rejection of the law. Opposition and independent MPs warned that the bill could trigger social unrest and force millions of tenants to vacate their rented properties. 'Based on our national and constitutional obligations, we exerted tremendous efforts during the final discussion of the bill to present legislation that preserves the rights of landlords and tenants in a balanced manner,' noted a statement issued by 23 opposition and independent MPs. 'We did our best to exempt the original tenant and his wife and children from any termination of the rental agreement, in order to ensure that their social and human rights are not infringed upon. But all our attempts failed as the government did not respond to our proposals to achieve the required balance, not did it provide satisfactory alternative solutions,' it said. As a result, opposition and independent MPs confirmed their final rejection of the law in its current form, because of what they said would be its disastrous impact on millions of Egyptians. They also highlighted the fact that the government had not provided the House with information on tenants renting under the old rent law. During the final discussion of the bill on 1 and 2 July, House Speaker Hanafi Gebali requested the government to provide the House with accurate data on original tenants or first-generation inheritors residing in units subject to the old rent law, figures he described as 'extremely important'. In response, Khairat Barakat, head of the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), said that the available statistics were based on the 2017 census and indicated that the number of tenants renting under the old rent law was 1.6 million. Out of this number, around 409,000 are classified as first-generation tenants or those aged over 60 as of 2017, he said. The renters group the Tenants Coalition led by Sherif Al-Gaar sent a message to President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, asking him not to ratify the government-drafted amendments to the old rent law. 'If this bill is ratified and signed into law, it will displace millions of citizens, including poor and low-income families, the elderly, widows, orphans, and children who have lived with their families for decades in legally rented housing,' the message said. It said that such families do not have alternative housing and cannot afford the new rents, especially with deteriorating living conditions and the difficult economic situation. This new law, the coalition said, would be a big loss for tenants and should be modified to prevent expulsions from residential units they had rented for many years. 'We do not object to rent increases, but we reject expulsion because of its disastrous impact,' Al-Gaar said. According to Article 123 of the constitution, the president has the right to object to draft laws passed by the House of Representatives. He can send a law back to the House within 30 days of receiving it. If he does not send it back within this period, it is considered law and goes into effect. Meanwhile, the Landlords Coalition led by Mustafa Abdel-Rahman expressed its thanks to the government and parliament for respecting the constitution and redressing injustices done to landlords. 'This is a big win for Egypt as a whole and for landlords in particular, because it creates a healthy and positive relationship between tenants and landlords,' Abdel-Rahman said. In a bid to placate the Tenants Coalition, Housing Minister Sherif Al-Sherbini confirmed there would be coordination with the Ministry of Local Development and governors to provide available land and residential properties to accommodate tenants forced to vacate their units after a transitional period of seven years. Al-Sherbini said that a thorough inventory of all tenants subject to the old rent law would be conducted. The status of each tenant would be determined in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and this would determine what kind of alternative unit he or she would receive. 'No tenant will be evicted, and everyone will be able to own a residential unit based on their income. We will take into account the elderly and those in need,' Al-Sherbini said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahmoud Fawzi stressed in a TV interview that 'the state will not allow anyone to be left homeless after the seven-year transitional period.' The bill received final approval in the House when the Mostaqbal Watan Party (the Nation's Future), which has a majority of 315, gave it the thumbs up. Two other political parties, Homat Watan (Protectors of the Nation) and the People's Republican, also teamed up to vote in favour of the law. Mostaqbal Watan Parliamentary Spokesperson Abdel-Hadi Al-Qasabi said the government had given assurances that 'no tenant will be left on the streets and that the Housing Ministry is committed to providing alternative housing, whether through ownership or renting, to individuals who might be forced to return their units to landlords after a seven-year transitional period.' The government had affirmed it will establish a fund to support tenants, he said, explaining that as a result Mostaqbal Watan had approved the final draft of the bill. According to Article 2 of the draft, there will be a transitional period of seven years (instead of five in an earlier draft), after which the rental contracts of residential units can be terminated and landlords have the right to evict tenants. Non-residential lease contracts covering commercial and office units rented by individuals will be limited to five years, with the possibility for both parties to agree to terminate the contract earlier. The bill explicitly stipulates the abolition of all old rent laws after the end of the transitional period. It stipulates that after the end of the transitional period, old lease contracts shall be terminated and rental relationships liberalised, such that all lease contracts shall become subject to the provisions of the Civil Code and the mutual consent of both parties. Article 8 states that before the end of the seven-year transitional period tenants shall have the right to residential or non-residential units for rent or ownership from among the units made available by the state. Article 7 grants landlords the right to reclaim their residential unit immediately upon contract expiration or in two special cases that allow eviction before the seven-year transitional period ends: if the tenant leaves the unit closed and unused for more than one full year without a valid reason, thus preventing the landlord from using the property, and if the tenant owns another unit suitable for the same purpose, which entitles the landlord to request eviction from the current unit. In these two cases, landlords can seek a quick eviction order from the courts without going through lengthy and complicated judicial procedures. Article 3 states that a committee will be formed in each governorate to classify rented residential properties into three categories — premium, middle-class, and economic. The classification will be based on factors like geographical location, building condition, quality of local services available (water, electricity, sewage), and transport. The committees will set appropriate rents for each category and must complete their work within three months of the law's implementation. Local governors shall publish the final results in the Official Gazette and notify local administrations to ensure transparency. Article 4 states that once the law comes into effect, the monthly rent of residential units will increase. Units in premium residential areas will see their rent increase 20 times the current legal rent, to a minimum of LE1,000 per month. Units in middle-class residential areas will see their rent go up by up to 10 times, to a minimum of LE400 per month. Units in economic residential areas will see their rent rise 10 times, to a minimum of LE250. The article also stipulates that tenants shall pay LE250 monthly until the classification committees finish their task. Once the local governor's decision is published, tenants must pay any rent differences due in monthly installments equal to the accrual period. The bill will now be sent to President Al-Sisi to be signed into law. * A version of this article appears in print in the 10 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt reaffirms sovereignty and security amid foreign convoy tensions at Rafah crossing - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt reasserts national sovereignty amid tensions over the Al-Somoud Convoy, emphasising legal protocols, border security, and continued support for the Palestinian cause in light of regional unrest. In the light of the difficult circumstances facing the region, notably the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, and the accompanying grave humanitarian and security challenges, Egypt's political parties and MPs affirmed their full support for the Foreign Ministry regarding foreign convoys seeking to visit the border area adjacent to the Gaza Strip or enter the Palestinian territories through the Egyptian Rafah crossing. 'The statement reflects Egypt's commitment to safeguarding its national security, while maintaining its historic support for the Palestinian people,' the Egyptian Parties Alliance, which includes 42 political parties, said on Sunday. The House of Representatives, the lower house of Egypt's parliament, also slammed the attempts of 'some foreign elements' to organise marches and travel to the border area of Rafah without prior coordination or obtaining proper legal permits. 'These attempts violate Egypt's national security and sovereignty, particularly as they come at a time when the entire region is witnessing an explosive war,' said Parliamentary Speaker Hanafi Gebali. The reaction came after the Foreign Ministry warned the so-called Al-Somoud (resilience) Convoy about visiting the Rafah crossing area without obtaining prior approval. In a statement issued on 11 June, the Foreign Ministry said 'it welcomes all international and regional positions, both official and popular, that support Palestinian rights and reject the siege, starvation, and blatant and systematic Israeli violations against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.' However, it emphasised that 'in the light of recent requests and inquiries regarding visits by foreign delegations to the border area adjacent to Gaza [the city of Arish and the Rafah crossing] to voice support for Palestinian rights, Egypt stipulates the necessity of obtaining prior approvals for such visits.' The ministry said that 'the only way for the Egyptian authorities to continue looking into such requests is by adhering to the regulatory controls and mechanisms in place since the start of the war on Gaza.' 'This involves submitting an official request to an Egyptian embassy abroad, or through requests made by foreign embassies in Cairo, or by representatives of organisations to the Foreign Ministry.' The ministry noted that 'numerous visits by foreign delegations, both governmental and non-governmental human rights organisations, have previously been arranged.' It emphasised that 'Egypt affirms the importance of adhering to the regulatory controls that have been put in place to ensure the security of visiting delegations, given the delicate situation in the border area since the beginning of the Gaza crisis.' 'No requests will be considered and no invitations will be accepted outside the framework defined by the regulatory controls and mechanisms in place in this respect.' The ministry highlighted the importance of citizens of all countries adhering to the laws and regulations governing entry into Egyptian territory, including obtaining the necessary visas and permits. The majority Mostaqbal Watan (Nation's Future) Party in parliament said in a statement on Saturday that the Foreign Ministry's statement reflects the state's approach based on respecting national sovereignty and protecting national security, within the framework of strict adherence to international law and the regulation of entry through border crossings. Party Secretary-General Essam Hilal said Egypt has always supported visits aimed at showing solidarity with the Palestinian people. 'But at the same time all visitors should adhere to the proper legal frameworks, and any requests submitted outside the official channels specified by the Foreign Ministry will not be considered,' he said. The newly licensed National Front Party warned in a statement on Sunday that some Islamist movements aim to exploit the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza to achieve propaganda goals at the expense of Egypt's national security. 'We suspect that Al-Somoud Convoy aiming to visit the Rafah crossing is affiliated with the banned Muslim Brotherhood group and that it seeks to use this visit to achieve political and ideological goals, a tactic which is completely rejected by the Egyptian state and people,' the statement state. Tayseer Matar, secretary-general of the Egyptian Parties Alliance, said that 'the true objective of Al-Somoud Convoy is to cause trouble in Egypt rather than show solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.' 'This convoy, which is organised by the political wings of the terrorist organisation the Muslim Brotherhood in different countries, is trying to embarrass the Egyptian government by claiming that it isn't doing enough to help the Palestinians,' Matar said. Major General Mohamed Salah Abu Himila, head of the People's Republican Party bloc in parliament, said that 'the organisers of Al-Somoud Convoy aim to enter Gaza through Egypt's Rafah crossing and break the siege on the Palestinians. This is a danger for Egypt's national security as the border crossing is governed by strict controls imposed by the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty.' Abu Himila explained that unofficial convoys attempting to head to the border area with Gaza without coordinating with the authorities raise question marks. 'Do these convoys really aim to show solidarity with Gaza or is there intention to spread chaos in Egypt,' he asked. Several TV talk shows called for banning the convoy, with commentators associating it with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and dismissing it as a 'public-relations trap designed to embarrass Egypt.' Journalist Ahmed Moussa, a TV host, said on X that 'vigilance is required to confront this trap, which seeks to put Egypt in an extremely awkward position, whether it allows the convoy to enter or blocks it.' Moussa said that most of the convoy's members come from Tunisia's Ennahda Party and Algeria's Hams Party, two political arms of the Muslim Brotherhood. Military and political strategist Samir Farag told Moussa that the convoy was a risk to Egypt's national security. 'The Rafah border area is a military zone where forces are stationed and landmines planted to prevent anybody from entering Gaza. Israel is on the other side of the border,' he said. The convoy commenced an overland journey from the Tunisian capital on 8 June and reached the Libyan capital Tripoli on 10 June. The participants were planning to cross Egypt's borders this week and join other marchers hailing from Europe, North and South America, Turkey and some Asian nations in Cairo before heading to Arish on 15 June. From there, they said they planned to march on foot to the Rafah crossing where protest tents would be set up. Wael Nouar, the convoy's spokesperson, said it was part of a global solidarity march for Gaza involving over 10,000 participants from 32 countries. He said it included between 1,500 and 2,000 participants from across the Maghreb countries of Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, and Mauritania and aimed to put pressure for the opening of the Rafah crossing and the delivery of aid currently stockpiled in Arish. Regarding the cost of the convoy, Nouar explained it had cost approximately 200,000 Tunisian dinars ($15 million), which came from donations from organisations and individuals. Nouar said the convoy had completed the first phase of its journey on 10 June, 24 hours after its launch, and had successful crossed Tunisian territory. It began its second phase after entering Libya, where it was welcomed in the Western part of the country controlled by the government of Abdel-Hamid Al-Debeiba. 'We plan to reach the Libyan-Egyptian border on 15 June,' Nouar said. However, the Libyan News Agency (LANA) reported that when the convoy reached the eastern part of Libya controlled by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, it was stopped at the city of Sirte and was not allowed to continue on its way to the Libyan-Egyptian border. LANA said a group of Libyan ministers had told the organisers that they must first respect the Egyptian Foreign Ministry's statement regarding coordination through the relevant embassies. An Egyptian official told the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that 'clear instructions were issued to Egyptian border authorities not to allow the convoy to enter because its participants were not following the necessary regulations.' 'Egypt will never allow anything that threatens its national security or inflame tensions on its borders by individuals whose backgrounds and motives it does not know, given the tense situation in the region.' Cairo Airport authorities discovered that many individuals who were aiming to participate in the convoy and planning to organise marches to Rafah had entered the country with tourist visas. They were deported to their countries and not allowed to enter Egypt. Since 11 June, the Egyptian authorities have deported more than 200 activists upon their arrival at Cairo Airport or from hotels in downtown Cairo. * A version of this article appears in print in the 19 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
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:
See - Sada Elbalad
10-03-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt's Parliament Speaker Honors 10th of Ramadan Victory Anniversary
H-Tayea On Monday, Egyptian Parliament Speaker Hanafi Gebali delivered a speech marking the anniversary of the 10th of Ramadan Victory, a historic milestone in Egypt's military and national history. During the general session of the House of Representatives, Gebali highlighted the great sacrifices and heroic efforts of the Egyptian Armed Forces in reclaiming land and restoring national dignity during the October War. He emphasized that even after 52 years, this victory remains a source of pride and inspiration for all Egyptians. "Each year, on the 10th of Ramadan, Egypt and the Arab world commemorate this defining moment—a testament to the courage, resilience, and unwavering determination of our Armed Forces. This victory embodies the sacrifices made for the sake of our land and honor," Gebali stated. He extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian Armed Forces, and the entire Egyptian people, reaffirming that this anniversary serves as a reminder of national unity and the commitment to defending the homeland. Gebali also underscored the broader significance of the October War victory, stating: "The legacy of October is not just about military triumph; it carries a timeless message for future generations. It reminds us all of our duty to protect our nation, to work tirelessly for its progress, and to always put Egypt's interests above all else—just as the heroes of October did when they sacrificed everything for their country."
Egypt Today
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt's House approves moral, ethical compensation for wrongful pretrial detention
CAIRO – 23 February 2025: The Egyptian House of Representatives (the lower house of parliament) led by Speaker Hanafi Gebali, on Sunday, approved moral and ethical compensation for wrongful pretrial detention during its general session tomorrow, Sunday, as part of the draft Criminal Procedures Law. The newly-approved amendments to the law require the Public Prosecution to publish, at the government's expense, every final ruling that acquits a person previously detained in pretrial detention, as well as every order stating there is no reason to file a criminal case against them. This will be done in two widely circulated daily newspapers, aiming to provide moral compensation for the harm caused by wrongful pretrial detention. Article 523 of the draft law stipulates that anyone detained in pretrial detention is entitled to compensation under the following conditions: · If the crime is punishable by a fine or a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for less than one year, and the accused has a fixed and known residence in Egypt. · If a final order is issued stating there is no reason to file a criminal case due to the invalidity of the incident. · If a final judgment acquits the person of all charges based on the fact that the incident is not punishable, is incorrect, or for any other reasons other than invalidity, doubts about the validity of the accusation, or reasons for permission, exemption from punishment, pardon, or abstention from responsibility. In all cases, the State Treasury will bear the compensation costs. However, the person seeking compensation must not have been detained in pretrial detention or served a custodial sentence pending the case or other cases for a period equal to or longer than the period of pretrial detention or sentence for which compensation is being requested.
