Egypt has no intention to amend the controversial law on protests adopted under the interim authorities that ousted former president Mohamed Morsy, the minister of justice said on Monday.
“Changing the law will not occur until the parliament is elected,” Minister Mahfouz Saber said in a phone call with Al-Hayat satellite channel. “The ministry’s legislative role in this stage is focused on laws concerned with daily needs.”
Political activists have decried the law which requires prior permission from security to stage protests and empowers authorities to turn down requests, imposing fines and jail terms for violators.
Hundreds of pro-Islamist protesters as well as liberal activists have been sentenced to jail for partaking in unlicensed protests.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
