Critics likely to see move as a curb on freedoms
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Authorities complainthat continued protests hamper efforts to get the country working at full capacity (File)
CAIRO (AFP) Egypt's government on Wednesday approved a draft law that would criminalize "some forms of protests".
The draft allows authorities to slap a prison sentence, or fine, on "those holding protests, sit-ins, or gatherings that would disrupt work in public or private establishments," the official MENA news agency reported.
The draft has been forwarded to the country's new military rulers, who took power when nationwide anti-regime protests forced strongman Hosni Mubarak to step down on February 11.
The government said the restrictions would only apply while the decades-old emergency law was still n place.
The draft allows authorities to slap a prison sentence, or fine, on "those holding protests, sit-ins, or gatherings that would disrupt work in public or private establishments," the official MENA news agency reported.
The draft has been forwarded to the country's new military rulers, who took power when nationwide anti-regime protests forced strongman Hosni Mubarak to step down on February 11.
The government said the restrictions would only apply while the decades-old emergency law was still n place.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has pledged to lift the controversial law -- which gives police wide powers and suspends constitutional rights -- before the end of the six-month transition period.
Authorities have repeatedly complained that continued protests would hamper efforts to get the country working at full capacity -- after a near paralysis during the 18-day uprising that overthrew Mubarak.
But critics are likely to see the move as a curb on freedoms that contradicts the authorities' promises of a free and democratic society.
Authorities have repeatedly complained that continued protests would hamper efforts to get the country working at full capacity -- after a near paralysis during the 18-day uprising that overthrew Mubarak.
But critics are likely to see the move as a curb on freedoms that contradicts the authorities' promises of a free and democratic society.
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