CAIRO: In a recent turn of events, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has repealed their decision to bring an end to the long standing emergency laws in Egypt. Since the Arab-Israeli war of 1967, the law has remained active except for an 18-month period before the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981. Bringing an end to the emergency law is one of the major demands of the January 25 revolutionary groups such as the Revolutionary Youth Union and the umbrella group, the Revolutionary Forces Alliance, which encompasses around 60 different political groups as well as movements and parties. According to General Mamdouh Shahin, member of the SCAF, the law will remain in place until June 2012, because “the incidents which occur now can be described as terrorism.” He believes that there are sufficient legitimate reasons and guarantees for the application of the emergency law in full. Ahmed Nasr, a Giza resident, told Bikyamasr.com that the law has been well-received by many. “Freedom has been given to the Egyptian people, but without a manual, they are pressing all the buttons and trying everything,” he said. “It's not just about rights,” he continued, “it's also about the dangers of misusing these rights.” Shahin said reactivating the law will help bring stability back to the country. He stated further that the law applies to the “thugs and outlaws” and that civil police “will maintain the right to arrest people.” The emergency law bans publishing of rumors and restricts unlicensed broadcasting as well as deliberate spreading of false news and statements. The Al-Jazeera network's office raid is proof of such policies coming into effect. The emergency law also restricts social gatherings to a maximum of five people unless prior permission is granted by the ministry of interior which, if enforced, would mean having to ask permission from the Interior Ministry to have a day out with a group of friends or even family. The law is further enforced when confronting what the SCAF has called “attacks against the freedom to work, the sabotage of institutions, the disruption of transportation and obstruction of roads.” Mohamed Zaree, a Program Manager at the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, told Bikyamasr.com in an earlier interview that what is happening now is a good indication of things to come during the election period. “If they can interfere at any point to censor information, then this will really affect the elections,” he said. “What is happening now indicates that we will not have free elections,” he added. The problem many people have with the law, is its vagueness. Since arrests and searches can be done without a warrant, applying the law to “thugs” and “outlaws” has the very real potential of labeling anybody as a thug or outlaw, thus silencing criticism and maintaining the military in power, many Egyptians fear. A Cairo University student, Ahmed Elrefai, talked about his conflicting views on the reactivation of the emergency law. “On the one hand I know many high ranking officers who are legitimately afraid of walking the streets in their uniforms,” he began. “They believe the emergency law is the only way to bring back honor and respect to the street police. On the other hand, I am afraid of Egypt falling under control of a new Mubarak if the army abuses their power.” Others tend to disagree. “The whole thing is ridiculous,” said one, Egyptian who wished to remain anonymous. “Here we are, causing no trouble. But there are eight of us sitting here. The emergency law would only serve to harm the military's public image. It's almost like their decisions are made by monkeys picking decisions out of a hat. In a city of more than 20 million people, it's unavoidable to find yourself in a social situation with five or more people,” the person added. The latest decision by the SCAF to revive the emergency law in full has prompted the Revolutionary Forces Alliance to call for a silent million man protest in Tahrir on Friday which has been dubbed “The Friday of Deafening Silence.” “We call upon Egyptians to show up after Friday prayers dressed in black to reject the extension of the emergency state in Egypt after the Revolution erupted,” said general coordinator of the RFA Haitham el-Shawaf. El-Shawaf has called for protesters to show up dressed in black after Friday prayers. Many people on social media sites such as Facebook have begun joining groups and voicing their disapproval of the laws and pledging to be in Tahrir on Friday. As the days roll on, it should become more apparent as to the exact nature of the emergency law, and how rigidly it will be enforced. For now however, the SCAF has announced that the law will be in place until mid-2012. Whether or not this will be reverted once elections are over remains to be seen. BM
