The People's Assembly overwhelmingly approved yesterday President Mubarak's request to extend Egypt's state of emergency for another two years, starting from June. The Emergency Law has been amended to include a new article that limits the implementation of the law to combating terrorism and the trade in drugs. A memorandum from Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif to President Mubarak emphasized the development of organized crime around the world, with increaseing use of modern technology. The memo also mentioned terrorist crimes committed in Egypt and the impact these have had on social and economic development. According to the memo, such terrorism can only be dealt with by exceptional laws, until a new law on combatting terrorism is enacted. While MPs from the National Democratic Party approved the renewal of the state of emergency, MPs from the Wafd, Tagammu and the Free Social Constitutional parties as well as from the Muslim Brotherhood and independent MPs rejected the decision, saying it violates human rights and accusing the government of failure to formulate a law to combat terrorism. Mostafa el-Fiqqi, head of the foreign relations committee of the People's Assembly, said the Emergency Law has been "rendered harmless" after the government pledged not to use it except to combat terrorism and drug dealing. He described the law in its new form as a step toward political transformation. Wafd Party President Mahmoud Abaza, however, criticized the extension of the law, saying the government should trust the patriotism of the people instead of relying on one apparatus to protect the country's security. Mohamed Abdel Aziz Shabaan, MP from the Wafd Party, said the government is defying the will of the people by extending the law. He added that countries progress when they bolster their democracies and freedoms. "The state of emergency hasn't put an end to terrorism, nor did it to drug dealing, which is everywhere," he said. Amal Othman, head of the legislative committee, approved the extension of emergency, saying it will be needed temporarily until an anti-terrorism law is approved. "After the introduction of the new restrictions on the Emergency Law, its extension will only be partial since it will be confined to terrorism and drugs. Any incorrect implementation will be reversed by the judiciary," he said. Saad el-Katatni, head of the Brotherhood bloc in the People's Assembly, severely criticized the assembly for renewing the state of emergency three times in one legislative term. He said the Emergency Law allows the executive authority to violate human rights. Both local and international human rights organizations criticized Egypt's Emergency Law. Mohamed el-Beltagui, an MP from the Brotherhood, said the extension of the Emergency Law violates Article 64 of the Constitution which states that the rule of law is the basis of governance. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
