The People's Assembly Legislative Committee withdrew Friday a draft law regulating protests, following a fierce criticism from activists, parliament members, and laborers.
A copy of the draft law obtained by Al-Masry Al-Youm reveals severe limitations placed on civil assembly.
The first article of law, No. 10 of 1914 places provisions on crowding, public gatherings and demonstrations on public roads, and decree No. 34 of 2011 criminalizes gatherings that hinder other citizens’ movement and sabotage facilities.
The third article of the draft law stipulates that the interior minister has the right to issue a decree with further decisions on how to enforce the law.
The bill defines crowding as the gathering of a number of people in a public road or public place in a way that threatens the public peace, in which the people refuse the order to disperse.
A demonstration is defined as a number of people using public roads to express demands using chants and slogans.
The law requires that demonstrators notify authorities ahead of any planned demonstrations.
The third article of the second chapter of the draft law says that individuals wanting to hold a public meeting or stage a peaceful gathering should inform the concerned administrative authority at least three days before the event. The period is reduced to 24 hours in the case of electoral rallies.
The law says notification allows authorities to take necessary precautions to secure and maintain public order. The bill does not excuse funerals and weddings.
The fifth article states that the authorities have the right to prevent the event if it is deemed as a potential cause for disorder and could threaten public security. The decision, the law says, will be based on the demonstration’s purpose or other circumstances such as time or place.
Authorities will then notify organizers of the decision, some time before the date of the event, the law says, and an announcement will be placed on the door of the governorate or district headquarters declaring the gathering illegal. The decision will also be published in local newspapers, if possible.
Campaign rallies will not be prohibited at all, the article added.
Article 11 of the text reaffirms the right of police to break up any rally or gathering that would put public safety at risk, as well as their right to secure the free passage of traffic in roads and public squares.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
