Rights group says new constitution is below expectation

The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) raised concerns that the new draft constitution does not include hoped for stipulations regarding rights, freedoms and social justice.

In a statement released on December 10, signed by 23 rights organizations, EIPR wrote, “We are extremely concerned about the future of liberties and human rights if this draft is adopted as the country’s permanent constitution following the referendum.”

“Egyptians are facing the prospect of having their future determined by a constitution that entrenches political and religious tyranny, grants constitutional legitimacy to assaults on human rights, and does not recognize Egypt’s international commitments to protect these rights," the statement continued.

EIPR claimed that, despite some improvements to the last constitution — written under the influence of Mohamed Morsi’s Islamist dominated parliament — and the initial enthusiasm of the 50-member committee to create more space for freedoms and rights, the current draft maintains the “red lines” that ensure state control over citizens.

The rights group says it stands by a belief that no civilian should undergo military trials and refutes Article 204, which allows military trials for civilians over crimes that represent a direct assault on military establishments, personnel, or equipment.

EIPR added, another "red line" the 50-member committee wouldn’t challenge concerns the notion that religious institutions should control matters of belief.

The group claims recent analysis shows it is in the interests of the executive power to act as guardian of the state, and that the constitution should ensure this. However, EIPR says the current draft is more reflective of a reluctance to lose authority, and the dominance of the military institution over matters of national security and foreign policy.