The Egyptian Center for Women's Rights issued a statement yesterday calling for debate on the State Council's recent decision rejecting the appointment of women as judges on the State Council. The statement urged that women should be considered equally alongside men for positions in the Public Prosecution. The center's statement further demanded that the State Council reveal the reasons behind its decision to suspend female appointments and the expected time-frame for this measure. It is inappropriate to violate women's rights "out of pity for them," said the statement, which added that female medical graduates accept jobs far from where they live, at a time when women are excluded from judicial positions for unclear reasons. Meanwhile Nehad Abu Qomsan, director of the center, said she is ready to support female law graduates who seek judicial positions. Abu Qomsan said the Supreme Council of Judicial Authorities had approved the appointment of women judges, but had however left each judicial authority the freedom to decide on its own procedures. "Does organizing the admission of women mean abolishing the right altogether and for an indefinite time period?" Abu Qomsan asked. Farida el-Naqqash, chief editor of Al-Ahaly newspaper and member of the leftist Tagammu Party, called on female leaders and rights activists to express their disappointment over the State Council's decision during this month's conferences held in celebration of the Universal Women's Day, the Egyptian Women's Day, and Mother's Day. She added that the Tagammu Party will hold a conference tomorrow which will bring together all female party leaders to discuss the State Council's decision. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
