Section One: Political Parties
Introduction:
A sharp decline in popular participation—almost amounting to a boycott—has marked the parliamentary elections, which are still ongoing, amid the same level of public disengagement.
Homeland Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan):
Despite administrative court rulings invalidating election results in dozens of constituencies, the Future of the Nation Party remains the largest winner in terms of parliamentary seats so far. No change is expected in the coming days, as the outcomes appear to have been prearranged and their results already known.
Homeland Protectors Party (Humat el Watan):
So far, the party ranks second in terms of seats won. Its activity has been limited to supporting its candidates in the upcoming rounds.
National Front Party (Al Gabha Al Wataneyya):
The National Front Party has witnessed widespread controversy and internal tension, following mass resignations that hit the party after it announced the names of its candidates. Up to now, it ranks third.
The Egyptian Social Democratic Party:
December saw intensified activity by the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, including legal, parliamentary, and political moves. Most notably, final court rulings accepted appeals filed by its candidates. In addition, the party is attempting to compensate for its loss of credibility by submitting parliamentary questions and requests for briefing, such as:
- A briefing request addressed to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and Population, and the Minister of Supply and Internal Trade regarding a circulating video clip alleging contamination of bottled drinking water sold in the Egyptian market.
- On December 5, the party announced its categorical rejection of the decision to raise the annual rent of a feddan of agricultural reform land from EGP 10,000 to EGP 27,000, stressing that the decision is unjust and disregards the difficult agricultural reality and the conditions of Egyptian farmers, who receive only minimal state support.
- A parliamentary question addressed to the Prime Minister and several relevant ministers (Irrigation, Transport, Awqaf, Housing, Finance, Planning, and Local Development) regarding delays in paying compensation for expropriation for public benefit in several areas of Giza Governorate, where decisions were issued more than four years ago.
The Conservatives Party (Al Mohafezeen):
The party secured only a single individual seat, won by the son of the party’s president, as it did not participate in the so-called National List.
- On December 8, the Conservatives Party issued an official statement completely rejecting the removal of any residential buildings or schools under the pretext of “development” without conducting in-depth studies, noting that the absence of such studies costs the state additional funds in compensation and undermines citizens’ security and stability.
The Bread and Freedom Party (Under Formation):
The party expressed its solidarity with the demands of journalists from “Al-Bawaba News” who are staging a sit-in to demand the implementation of the minimum wage. It also organized a discussion on the impact of the new rent law on long-term tenants, in an attempt to demonstrate social and economic sensitivity to people’s concerns.
The Constitution Party (Al Dostour):
The party failed to win any seats in the individual constituencies it contested. Internally, it called for completing internal elections and electing new leadership, with a clear timetable and transparent procedures under the supervision of legal and political figures.
The Civil Democratic Movement:
On December 13, the movement issued a statement regarding the summoning of Dr. Ammar Ali Hassan, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Civil Democratic Movement, by the Supreme State Security Prosecution for questioning in Case No. 10204 of 2025. The summons did not specify the reason or the subject of the case. Accordingly, the movement demands that the Egyptian authorities halt this approach of targeting national opposition forces.
The Dignity Party (Al-Karama):
In December, the Al-Karama Party witnessed political and cultural activity that included support for the Palestinian cause, solidarity with Venezuela, and rejection of foreign interference. The party also issued a statement in Dakahlia Governorate announcing its full support for MP Ahmed Salam Al-Sharqawi in the electoral contest.
The Revolutionary Socialists Movement:
The movement issued several official statements criticizing the current electoral process and calling for its cancellation, supporting journalists’ rights, condemning political persecution, and denouncing the gas deal with the Zionist entity at the expense of the Palestinian people.
Section 2: Professional and Labor Unions
First: Professional Unions:
The Journalists’ Syndicate:
- Engineer Khaled Abdel Aziz, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, received journalist and writer Khaled El-Balshi, Head of the Journalists’ Syndicate, to discuss ways to resolve the crisis of “Al-Bawaba News” journalists, who have been staging a sit-in for forty days demanding the application of the minimum wage.
- The Committee for the Development of Print and Digital Journalism, chaired by journalist Hamdy Rizk and affiliated with the main committee for the development of Egyptian media, discussed the committee’s final recommendations after holding several sessions and internal deliberations. These recommendations aim to advance Egyptian journalism.
Medical Doctors Syndicate:
- The General Medical Syndicate confirmed that it is following up on the health condition of a doctor who was injured by a stray gunshot while participating in a medical convoy in the village of Al-Atiyat in Qena, in direct coordination with the Qena Sub-Syndicate headed by Dr. Mohamed El-Deeb.
- Dr. Mona Mina, former deputy head of the Doctors’ Syndicate, stated that the assault on three doctors at Al-Haram Hospital by patients’ relatives, while they were performing their duties, exposes the shortcomings of the Medical Liability Law.
Engineers’ Syndicate:
- The Engineers’ Syndicate announced the selection of Engineer Tarek El-Nabrawy, Head of the Engineers’ Syndicate of Egypt, as President of the Arab Engineers Union.
- The Head of the Engineers’ Syndicate and Dr. Magdy Hassan, Head of the General Syndicate of Veterinarians, discussed several syndical issues of shared interest, foremost among them amendments to professional syndicate laws and the need for continuous improvement of the services provided by these syndicates.
- The “Union Vision” group—comprising more than 130 engineers from various disciplines—announced that it had submitted a clear request to the Engineers’ Syndicate Council to convene a general assembly to amend the elections committee and reconstitute it in a neutral, or at least balanced, manner.
- The Engineers’ Syndicate, at its headquarters, received a group of engineers from EgyptAir Maintenance and Technical Services to honor them for their exceptional achievement in carrying out complex technical modifications on the fleets of EgyptAir and Air Cairo—43 aircraft—in a record time not exceeding eight hours.
The Lawyers’ Syndicate:
- After achieving the legal quorum of the General Assembly of the Lawyers’ Syndicate, lawyers voted to raise pensions to a maximum of EGP 4,000 per month and a minimum of EGP 2,000. They also approved the report of the General Syndicate Council and the auditors on the final accounts, as well as the budgets submitted by the Council for the General Syndicate and the Pension Fund for the years 2019 through 2024.
- The Lawyers’ Syndicate is witnessing one of its fiercest electoral battles across 37 sub-syndicates. The legal community is awaiting the start of actual voting next month, following the approval of the final lists of candidates and voters for the first and second rounds during the current month of December. Elections of the sub-syndicates are considered a true “thermometer” for measuring the balance of power ahead of the General Syndicate elections.
Teachers’ Syndicate:
- A responsible source at the Ministry of Education revealed that a decision was issued by the General Assembly of National Institutes to apply the minimum wage to employees of national schools, in line with government procedures, at a value of EGP 7,000 per month.
- The Ministry of Education and Technical Education issued an official directive to directors of education directorates in the governorates to update and register data for teachers wishing to participate in secondary school final examinations for the 2025–2026 academic year, via the designated electronic website.
Actors’ Syndicate:
- The Prime Minister directed the provision of care for senior artists with distinguished careers, including treatment at the state’s expense.
- Dr. Ashraf Zaki, Head of the Actors’ Syndicate, withdrew his resignation. In an official statement, he explained that he had chosen to step aside after many years of service, emphasizing the need for other colleagues to continue the path of giving, especially after spending what he described as the most beautiful years of his life within the Artists’ Syndicate.
Nursing Syndicate:
- Dr. Kawthar Mahmoud, Head of the General Nursing Syndicate and General Supervisor of Nursing at the General Authority for Healthcare, received the Award for Distinguished Work in Developing the Nursing and Midwifery Professions at the technical level in the field of nursing education for 2025. The award is granted by the Council of Arab Health Ministers in recognition of leading efforts to develop nursing and midwifery across the Arab world.
- The General Nursing Syndicate launched a series of awareness campaigns on Medical Liability Law No. 13 of 2025, aiming to entrench a culture of sound professional practice, enhance patient safety, and protect nurses while performing their duties.
Dentists’ Syndicate:
- The Dentists’ Syndicate decided to open nominations for mid-term renewal elections on December 16, with elections scheduled to take place next April.
- Dr. Ihab Heikal, Head of the General Dentists’ Syndicate, warned against the continued unplanned increase in the number of dental school graduates each year, stressing that the Egyptian market has reached a state of full saturation.
The Pharmacists’ Syndicate:
- Dr. Mahfouz Ramzy, Head of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Committee at the Cairo Pharmacists’ Syndicate, confirmed that most cold medications are available in the market, including those containing more than three active ingredients used in treating colds, with no shortages reported. Medications for chronic diseases are also available.
Second: Labor Unions
General Union of Petroleum Workers:
- Workers at the Sohag branch of the Modern Gas Company organized a strike, in parallel with their colleagues at the company’s Qena branch who held protest stand-ins, demanding permanent employment at Modern Gas and the cancellation of subcontracting arrangements under which they work through the Arab Institution for Supplies and Contracting.
General Union of Electricity Workers:
- Workers at the Hydropower Stations Company operating the High Dam, Aswan 1, and Aswan 2 plants in Aswan Governorate ended their sit-in after receiving promises from management to implement their demands within two months. The workers had demanded the application of the minimum wage, payment of overdue bonuses, increases in incentives and allowances, improved medical services, and other financial and job-related demands.
The General Union of Utilities Workers:
- Workers and employees at the Cairo Drinking Water and Sanitation Company suspended their protest stand-ins to give the company time to implement their demands, calling for a clear “timeline” to execute all decisions issued by the company during the protests. They indicated that protests would resume if their demands are not met.
General Union of Spinning and Weaving Workers:
- On December 18, 38 workers at Oriental Weavers in 10th of Ramadan City were surprised by being placed on open-ended leave without explanation. To date, they have not been reinstated. Fearing that this could be considered unauthorized absence leading to dismissal, the workers filed an official report the same day at the local labor office to document the incident and protect their legal rights.
The Center for Trade Union and Workers Services (CTUWS):
- The Center submitted an official memorandum to the Minister of Labor, calling for immediate intervention to halt a series of serious and systematic violations against workers at Oriental Weavers in 10th of Ramadan City since January 2025. The memo cited the inadequacy of the annual raise relative to living costs, perceived injustice in wage distribution following the minimum wage increase, and disregard for seniority—undermining job security and violating basic legal and human rights.
Committee for the Defense of Trade Union Freedoms and the Right to Work:
- At its meeting on December 23, committee members discussed the latest developments regarding ministerial decisions regulating the new Labor Law No. 14 of 2025. Representatives of unions and party-affiliated labor offices reviewed the five ministerial decisions issued and assessed their consistency with the law.
Permanent Conference of Working Women:
- The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace campaign revealed a clear picture of the realities facing working women in both the formal and informal sectors. Documented data and firsthand testimonies showed that workplace violence is not incidental or isolated, but rather part of an unjust labor system where gender gaps intersect with job precarity and the absence of institutional protection.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign is an international initiative launched by the United Nations to combat violence against women and girls each year from November 25—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women—through December 10, Human Rights Day. It involves numerous international organizations, national institutions, and civil society organizations worldwide.
Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF):
- Headed by Abdel Moneim El-Gamal, the Federation actively participated in a joint Arab seminar held in Cairo on December 6–7 titled “The Role of Social Dialogue in Enhancing Social Protection for Arab Retirees,” organized by the Arab Retirees Union in cooperation with the Arab Labour Organization.
- The Federation also took part with a high-level trade union delegation in the Fourth Employment Forum “Job Hub,” organized by the “Basmat Shabab Misr” initiative at the Monastery of Saint Anba Birsoum El-Arian in Al-Maasara, under the patronage of His Grace Bishop Anba Mikhael, Bishop of Helwan and Al-Maasara.
General Union of Construction and Wood Workers:
- Workers at Ru’ya Contracting Company, a subsidiary of the Pioneers Group at the Sokhna Hills site in Suez, submitted a memorandum to the General Union requesting intervention against pressures exerted by management to force them to resign in exchange for compensation equal to a quarter of a month’s pay for each year of service, and to sign new fixed-term contracts through Partner Pro for Trade and Services.
Businessman Walid Zaki—member of the Future of the Nation Party and former president of Future FC—owns approximately 26% of the Pioneers Group, which acquired Ru’ya Contracting in 2017, and serves as the group’s chairman.
Ministry of Labor:
- Minister of Labor Mohamed Gibran directed the rapid disbursement of financial assistance amounting to EGP 200,000 to the family of each deceased victim of the accident involving the overturning and burning of a pickup truck on the Oasis Road, which resulted in the deaths of eight workers and injuries to five others from the village of Ma‘sarat Sawi in Fayoum Governorate.
Section Three: Human Rights Movements and Institutions
Key Activities, Publications, and Initiatives of Human Rights Institutions
The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR):
- The National Council carried out intensive activity, but without effectiveness or tangible impact on the ground. Its work remained distant from any real improvement in human rights conditions. Among its activities were:
- International and UN engagement: active participation in the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, and the meeting of African Ombudsmen in Angola calling for funding oversight bodies to combat corruption.
- Domestic institutional cooperation: signing a cooperation protocol with the Administrative Prosecution to protect rights in public employment, and participation with the Ministry of Youth in the “Path of Peace” program to promote a culture of coexistence.
- Human rights awareness: launching the “Our School Is Friendly to Human Rights” initiative in Ismailia, and delivering diplomatic lectures on mechanisms for engagement with the United Nations.
- Official positions and statements: issuing statements on the International Human Rights Day and the International Human Solidarity Day, emphasizing social justice and legal fairness amid ongoing crises.
- Legal and religious awareness: participation in a workshop with Dar Al-Ifta linking the objectives of Islamic law with international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR):
- The Initiative condemned the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court’s decision to re-list lawyer Mohamed El-Baqer on terrorism lists for an additional five years, considering it a continuation of reprisals against human rights defenders without evidence.
- The Initiative released a report documenting the use of the charge of “violating family values” under the Cybercrime Law over five years to pursue digital content and restrict freedom of expression.
- The Initiative criticized the referral of 64 defendants to the Supreme State Security Prosecution in two separate cases due to activities supporting the Palestinian cause.
- The Initiative called on the Minister of Interior to intervene to enforce Criminal Court Chamber 19’s decision to release Ahmed Sabry Nassef under precautionary measures, and to end his continued detention in violation of the ruling.
- The Initiative monitored attempts to forcibly evict residents of the “Loulouet Somouha” tower in Alexandria to build a tourist hotel, including the illegal cutting of drinking water as an administrative and security pressure tool.
- The Initiative condemned the Benha Juvenile Court’s ruling sentencing two children to ten years in prison on “terrorism” charges related to digital activity, noting the absence of fair trial guarantees and denial of the right to defense.
The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF):
- The Commission called for solidarity with the sit-in of 3,000 workers at the High Dam stations in Aswan and Esna protesting deteriorating living conditions.
- The Commission documented the arrest of 25 workers participating in the Modern Gas strike in Sohag and Qena governorates during December.
- The Commission condemned arbitrary dismissal policies and malicious warnings at Mefco Helwan Furniture and Overseas Gas, and followed protests by Cairo Water Company workers over management’s failure to honor its promises.
- The Commission condemned Oriental Weavers’ surveillance and hacking of workers’ personal accounts as a pretext for retaliatory dismissals.
- The Commission expressed concern over administrative pressure and threats of dismissal faced by Eastern Tobacco workers to force involuntary exit following the UAE-based Global company’s acquisition of a shareholding.
- It issued an analytical study of election laws (2014–2025) in parallel with the current parliamentary elections, and another on the impact of the new Asylum Law on refugee communities in Egypt.
The Center for Trade Union and Workers Services (CTUWS):
- The Center held a seminar on the outcomes of COP30 in Brazil and the challenges of a “just transition” for workers in Egypt.
- The fourth round of the cadre qualification program on social development and economic theories was also convened.
- On December 15, Climate Seminars in Alexandria: a series of meetings discussing the risks of climate change to occupational health and the role of trade unions in protecting workers’ rights.
- On December 24, Oriental Weavers: an official memorandum to the Minister of Labor calling for an end to violations against striking workers protesting weak annual raises and wage injustice.
The New Woman Foundation:
Throughout the month, the Foundation held multiple meetings and activities, including:
- Critiquing the legislative framework and legal loopholes that privilege custom over law and justify domestic violence under the pretext of “discipline,” and entrench discrimination by granting mitigated sentences to perpetrators of so-called “honor crimes,” even in cases of suspicion.
- The “Justice, Not Mercy” campaign (monitoring and documentation): analysis of 29 court rulings revealed a systematic pattern of deliberate sentence mitigation in femicide cases, alongside documentation of 79 testimonies from Egypt and Sudan confirming that violence against women is structural rather than isolated.
Masar – Community for Technology and Law
Masaar published research papers and legal briefs during the month, including:
- Gender and the digital space: analysis of “opportunities for expression” versus “algorithmic constraints” and hostile environments that reproduce gender gaps.
- Invalid digital evidence: documenting a court ruling that dismissed an online blackmail charge due to failure to comply with the technical requirements of the Cybercrime Law.
- Platform work precarity: critiquing shortcomings of the 2025 Labor Law in protecting platform workers and confronting rigid algorithmic management.
- Constitutional privacy: a legal challenge to provisions of the new Criminal Procedure Law for overreach into the sanctity of communications and private spaces without time limits.
Center for Egyptian Women LegalAssistance (CEWLA):
During the month, the center held several meetings and activities, including:
- Social and statistical realities (urgent challenges): sexual harassment and work as a structural barrier affecting 76% of working women amid the absence of protection policies in 90% of companies; and “transactional marriage” as human trafficking under the guise of “protection,” reaching 14.9% in some villages.
- Field activities and capacity building: convening a community dialogue with the participation of 65 experts to push toward fair family legislation.
Violations and Harassment:
Detention Renewals:
- On December 16, the Second Terrorism Chamber of the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court renewed the detention of labor leader Shady Mohamed and another defendant for 45 days in Case No. 1644 of 2024 (Supreme State Security), known in the media as the “Palestine Support Banner” case, despite their absence.
- On December 23, the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court renewed the detention of journalist Mohamed Saad Khattab for 45 days after he was unable to attend the session due to severe health deterioration.
- On December 25, the First Terrorism Criminal Chamber sitting at the Badr Prison Complex renewed the detention of Sherif El-Rouby and others in various cases for 45 days.
Court Rulings:
- On December 1, 2025, the Egyptian Center obtained a ruling from the New Cairo Primary Court awarding EGP 153,000 in compensation to “Abu Bakr M.,” a worker at B.Tech, for arbitrary dismissal and unpaid dues.
- On December 8, 2025, lawyers of the Egyptian Initiative obtained a five-year prison sentence against Sami Abu Bakr Rizk for violating the privacy of his son’s teacher, deliberately harassing her, and using and managing a private online account to commit these crimes.
- On December 9, lawyers of the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms obtained an acquittal from the Agouza Misdemeanor Appeals Court for a transgender young woman in Case No. 15805 of 2025 (Agouza), after charges of “practicing debauchery and prostitution,” overturning a one-year prison sentence with a EGP 3,000 bail.
- On December 17, the Egyptian Center obtained a ruling obligating the Cultural Workers Institution and the Workers’ University to pay EGP 242,000 to “Osama A. A.” for unpaid financial entitlements during his employment.
- On December 21, lawyers of the Initiative secured enforcement for their client, a resident of Wadi El-Qamar west of Alexandria, of a compensation judgment of EGP 1 million for health damages caused by environmental violations of Portland Cement (Titan), after more than a year and a half of obstruction.
- On December 25, the Shorouk Misdemeanor Appeals Court upheld a five-year prison sentence against economist Dr. Abdel Khaleq Farouk on charges of spreading false news.
Trials:
- On December 23, the First Terrorism Criminal Chamber sitting at the Badr Prison Complex adjourned 13 substantive cases to specified dates for summoning witnesses, hearing testimony, or reopening pleadings; in two separate cases, sentences ranging from 15 to 3 years were issued against present defendants, and life imprisonment in absentia.
- On December 25, the First Terrorism Criminal Chamber postponed the trial of lawyer Ibrahim Abdel Moneim Metwally, coordinator of the Association of Families of the Enforcedly Disappeared, and others to March 15, to hear and examine the first and second prosecution witnesses.
Legal Victories:
- On December 3, the Qena Prosecution ordered the release of 12 Modern Gas workers on bail of EGP 5,000.
- On December 15, the Supreme State Security Prosecution ordered the release of Dr. Ammar Ali Hassan on bail of EGP 20,000 after questioning him in Case No. 10204 of 2025 (State Security), on charges of “spreading false news.”