Egypt: Constitutional committee excludes female legal experts

Source: 
ECWR

The institutions and organizations below have signed this statement in disapproval of the criteria and formation of the Constitutional Committee, whereby the committee does not include a single female expert. Advancing with a committee like this, triggers fears and suspicions with regards to the future of Egypt and the transitional phase which Egypt is currently witnessing after the 25th of January Revolution. This issue poses a critical question with regards to democracy and the main aims of the revolution which were initially spelled out as equality, freedom, democracy and participation of all citizens.

We are hereby questioning the criteria through which the members of the constitutional committee; are they based on efficiency and integrity and political criteria or should they be based on values of equality and justice as spelled out by the revolution? If the criteria is based on efficiency and integrity, then why aren’t female legal experts excluded despite the fact that Egypt is rich with a lot of female experts in constitutions whether it be in the Supreme Constitutional Court or the Faculties of Law.

We believe that as Egyptian women largely and equally participated in the revolution with Egyptian men and some of them have been jailed and still lost while others have even martyred, they have the right to participate in building the New Egyptian State on the simple basis of citizenship. 

Nevertheless, we strongly have confidence in the discretion of the Military Council in guiding Egypt towards democracy. Hence, we are making the statement today to stress on the values of citizenship and participation of women, specifically in the Constitutional Committee at the moment.

1-     The Egyptian Center for Women's Rights- Helwan

2-     Andalus institute for tolerance and anti-violence studies- Cairo

3-     The Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL) – Cairo

4-     Association of Human Communication- Cairo

5-     The United Group- Cairo

6-     Association of Arab Women- Cairo

7-     Health and Environmental Culture Society- Cairo

8-      Egyptian Medical Women's Association- Helwan

9-     Citizen's Society for Development and Human Rights- Giza

10-  Maat Foundation for Peace and Development and Human Rights- Cairo

11-  Vision Society for Enlightenment and Community Development- El Menia

12-   Association of population development and the preservation of the environment- Cairo

13-  Our Society Association for Development and Human Rights- Cairo

14-  The Egyptian Society for Marketing and Development

15-  The Egyptian Foundation for Family Development- Giza

16-  Association of Middle East for Peace and Human Rights- Cairo

17-  With You Society for Social Assistance- Helwan

18-   Gozour Society for the comprehensive Development- Helwan

19-   The Egyptian Society for Family Empowerment- Giza

20-   The Legislative Association in Bakri Mastour- Qalioubia

21-  Pioneers Society for Development- Giza

22-  Al Zohor Association for Development - 6th of October

23-  Society Development Association in Sakil – 6th of October

24-  The Egyptian Association for Environmental and Humanitarian Development - Al Qualiubia

25-  Our Society Association for Development and Human Rights - Giza

26-  The Egyptian Association for the spread of environmental awareness - Al Qualiubia

27-  Association of Women and Child Development - Al Qualiubia

28-  The legislative Association in Saa'd Zaghlol – Al Qualiubia

29-  Legal Association for the support of Family and Human rights - Cairo

30-  Mary Girgis Youth Association - Cairo

31-  Hope Association in Al Aslougy - Sharkia

32-  Women for Development Association – 6th of October

33-  The Egyptian Association for Defend and support - Helwan

34-  Ayatollah Association - Giza

35-  Economic Liberalization Association - Cairo.

36-  Al Sharkia Youth Association – Al Sharkia

37-  Al Mashrek Association for Population Development - Sharkia

38-  Cairo Center for Development - Giza

39-  Kelmetna Association for Dialogue and Development - Cairo

40-  El Nadim Center for the Management and Rehabilitation of victims of violence - Cairo

41-  Friends of Youth and Environment Association - October

42-  Future Girls Association for Development - Cairo.

43-  Frasis Charitable Association for Society's Development - Gharbia

44-  Al Hayat Association in Zifta- Gharbia

45-  The Forum of Dialogue and Partnership for Development - Giza

46-  Future Association for Development - Aswan

47-  The Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement - Fayuom

48-  Al Fayoum Renaissance Association - Fayuom

49-  The Association of the interested people in education and development – Fayuom

50-  Al Tanweer Centre for Development and Human Rights - Giza

51-  The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights – Cairo

52-  Al Mahrousa Center – Cairo

53-  Nama'a Association for Development and Human Rights – Al Gharbia

54-  The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists – Cairo

55-  Association For the Development and Enhancement of Women – Cairo

56-  Hawaa Future Association – Giza

57-  Ismailia Generations for Development Association – Ismailia

58-  Haq Center for Democracy and Human Rights – Cairo

59-  Association for the Support and Development of Education – Giza

60-  World Without Borders Association for Human Rights - Cairo

61-   New Fustat Association- Cairo

62-  Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights- Cairo

63-  Egyptian Association for Disseminating & Developing Legal Awareness- Giza

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 16 February 2011 )