Egypt has been through extraordinary times in the past 15 months, from the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, through spasms of shocking violence and parliamentary elections that saw triumphant Islamists sweep the board. But Wednesday's presidential vote is that rare thing, a genuinely historic moment. It will be the first time, ever, that the Arab world's most populous country has chosen its leader without knowing in advance who the winner would be.
ANHRI announced today that any talk or consideration by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) to launch a complementary constitutional declaration or law is made to be invalid. Any legislative authority of SCAF has effectively ended by the election of the People’s Assembly. Thus, SCAF only has an executive authority which will end in a few days after the Egyptian people will have elected a president. Afterwards, SCAF will return to its original role. Members of SCAF is a number of armed forces officers who protect and do not administer, legislate, or play any role of a political nature.
Protecting hard-won gains in press freedom, improving safety for journalists and ending impunity for crimes against them, emerged as the main concerns of participants who attended UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Day conference in Tunis, held on 4 and 5 May. Over 700 participants from almost 90 countries took part in the event, which ended today with the adoption of the Carthage Declaration.
The new Constitution of Egypt is on the verge of being drafted. In order to support the forthcoming work of the drafters, ARTICLE 19 has produced a comprehensive policy brief outlining how the new Constitution should protect the right to freedom of expression and freedom of information.
