Section One: Egyptian Political Parties
Introduction:
The activity of Egyptian political parties relatively declined during June, despite significant domestic events such as the government’s decision to raise the price of subsidized bread by 400%, and the government’s proposal of a law to lease hospitals to investors, as well as the continued Israeli aggression on Gaza.
However, the holiday period of Eid al-Adha that extended for about 10 days may explain this.
The following are the most notable observations during the month.
Homeland Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan Party):
The party continued its support for the government and its decisions, both in parliament, where its members form the majority, and through its immense financial resources, which it utilizes in charitable and social activities.
● The month began with the Mostaqbal Watan Party congratulating Mostafa Madbouly on his appointment to form the new government.
● The party continued its charitable activities by distributing new and used clothing in Cairo, selling goods at reduced prices in Imbaba, announcing the availability of job opportunities, and distributing gifts to worshippers in various prayer areas.
● Additionally, the party organized a series of seminars in Qena Governorate to preserve family cohesion, titled “Modern Technology and its Impact on Contemporary Reality.”
The Constitution Party (Al Dostour Party):
The party is still occupied with internal reorganization, and this month saw the completion of party secretariat elections in the Upper Egypt sector. During this month, the party participated in activities organized by the Civil Movement.
On June 5, the party, in collaboration with the Bread and Freedom Party, organized a memorial ceremony for the Egyptian army martyrs who were killed at the Rafah border crossing with Gaza.
The party also actively participated with the Civil Movement in honoring figures of the Civil Movement under the theme “Continuing on the Path to Freedom and Democracy.” Several deceased political leaders were honored, including Diaa El-Merghany, George Ishak, and other leaders who contributed to the founding of the Civil Movement.
Egyptian Social Democratic Party:
The party leadership, headed by Farid Zahran, remains in a crisis with party members who are staging a sit-in at the party’s headquarters due to issues with paper memberships in the party’s High Authority election schedule. On both the domestic and regional levels, the party continued to express its rejection of certain government decisions that negatively impact the people, as well as its condemnation of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
The party announced its rejection of the threatening behavior and terrorism against media exposing the practices of the occupation army in Gaza. This stance came after threats were revealed against some journalists and news sites reporting on the crimes of the occupation in Gaza.
Party representative in parliament, MP Reham Abdel Nabi, submitted an urgent statement demanding that Aswan Governorate be exempt from power cuts.
Additionally, MP Samira El-Gazar submitted a request for information regarding the export of coal and an investigation into whether the source of the coal was trees being removed from streets. This request followed the widespread cutting down of trees in streets and roads across Egypt, which has caused significant public outrage.
Bread and Freedom Party (Under Establishment):
The party was busy this month organizing internal elections and preparing to complete the legal procedures for the party’s establishment. On the political front, the party continued its activities opposing government policies that it viewed as harmful to the poor, and it also maintained its support for Palestine and its opposition to the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
The month began with the party announcing its rejection of the government’s decision to raise the price of subsidized bread by 300%. The party believed that increasing the bread price would burden the poor with the consequences of economic policies favoring the wealthy.
The party participated in a campaign to collect signatures in solidarity with the Suez Canal Authority Club Workers’ Union. This campaign was in response to the Ministry of Labor halting the Labor Relations Enhancement Program and its institutions in Egypt, which resulted in the suspension of the registration of 20 independent unions.
On June 4, the party issued a statement expressing concern over the five-year prison sentence given to blogger Sherif Gaber on charges of “contempt of religion,” a charge frequently used against freedom of expression. The party called for the repeal of the blasphemy law, which it argued violates the right to belief and freedom of expression.
On June 10, the party launched a signature campaign to oppose the government’s plan to lease hospitals and health units to foreign and Egyptian investors. The party urged members of parliament to reject the proposed law.
Conservatives Party (Al Mohafezeen Party):
The party continued to host activities of the Civil Movement at its central headquarters and maintained its opposition to government policies that it perceives as harmful to the Egyptian economy and negatively impacting citizens. On the regional level, the party announced the development of its stance on the Israeli aggression on Gaza, calling on the Egyptian authorities to take stronger positions, including cutting ties with Israel and canceling the Camp David Accords.
The party began the month by organizing a discussion session on the state of the Egyptian economy titled “Where is the Egyptian Economy Headed? The IMF Answers,” which addressed the economic conditions in light of the International Monetary Fund report.
Another discussion session was held titled “Our Land, Our Future: The Green Area in Egypt,” in collaboration with the Green Bloc, to mark World Environment Day.
The party hosted the Civil Movement’s celebration to honor the late political leaders who contributed to the founding of the Civil Movement. Many political leaders and members of civil parties attended the event.
On June 21, the party issued a statement calling on the Egyptian government to change its stance on the Israeli aggression on Gaza, citing several reasons, including Israel’s disrespect for the Camp David Accords and its disregard for Egyptian mediation efforts.
The Dignity Party (Al Karama Party):
The party’s activity was limited this month, as the party contented itself with participating in the activities of the civil movement, in addition to participating in the Arab National Conference.
Popular Socialist Alliance Party:
The party’s activities slowed down during the month due to the Eid holiday, but it participated in events organized by the Civil Movement.
On May 31, the party issued a statement calling for the cancellation of the government’s decision to increase the price of subsidized bread by 400%. The statement described the government’s decision as catastrophic, stating that it harms millions of Egyptians and increases the cost of living. The party called for a national dialogue to discuss the issue of subsidies.
On June 1, the party organized a musical celebration to honor the leftist activist Ahmed Bahaa El-Din Shaaban.
The Revolutionary Socialists Movement:
The movement continued its campaign to support political detainees by regularly publishing information about detainees, including their names, reasons for arrest, and length of imprisonment. Additionally, the movement provided an analysis of the state budget to expose its bias towards the wealthy at the expense of the poor, and it helped disseminate news about demonstrations in support of Gaza.
On June 3, the movement participated in the campaign to support the Suez Canal Authority Club Workers’ Union, demanding that the Ministry of Labor revoke its decision to halt the registration of independent unions.
The movement was active in a signature campaign to oppose the draft law to lease public hospitals and health units to foreign and Egyptian investors. It called for resisting the government’s plan to privatize healthcare and urged parliament members not to approve the draft law.
The movement published an analysis highlighting the state budget’s bias towards the wealthy, placing the burden of flawed economic policies on the poor.
The movement commemorated the leftist activist and lawyer Ahmed Nabil El-Hilali by publishing his history of fighting for the working class and the poor, and his sacrifices, including long periods of imprisonment, despite belonging to the aristocracy as the son of the last Prime Minister of Egypt before the 1952 revolution.
Section 2: Professional and Labor Unions in Egypt
Professional Unions:
The Journalists’ Syndicate
The Freedoms Committee of the Journalists’ Syndicate announced its solidarity with Jordanian journalist Hiba Abu Taha after she was sentenced to one year in prison for a journalistic investigation she published about the “land bridge established by Jordan with Israel.” The committee also called on the Egyptian authorities to release journalists, prisoners of conscience, and all those detained for showing solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The Journalists’ Syndicate signed a cooperation protocol with its Palestinian counterpart, aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two unions in defending Palestinian journalists who are subjected to mass genocide in Gaza and throughout Palestinian territories.
According to the protocol, Nasser Bank contributes to part of the cost of surgeries needed by journalists, as well as the cost of expensive medications, in accordance with the bank’s available funding terms.
The Freedoms Committee of the Journalists’ Syndicate held a discussion session and a conference for the families of imprisoned colleagues on Monday, June 10, as part of the celebrations of Journalist’s Day.
The Egyptian Doctors Syndicate:
The Doctors Syndicate has decided to call its members to attend the regular General Assembly on Friday, July 12, due to the quorum not being met during the initial call on June 28 at the General Syndicate headquarters in Cairo.
Dr. Mohamed Farid Hamdy, the Secretary-General of the Doctors Syndicate, noted that the agenda of the upcoming General Assembly includes several contentious issues that have sparked debate recently, such as doctors’ pensions and amendments related to the Ethics Committee.
Additionally, the General Syndicate of Doctors announced an interest-free “Good Loan” to assist young doctors in covering wedding expenses and completing postgraduate studies. The winners will be selected through a public lottery held at the General Syndicate headquarters in Cairo on Friday, July 12, 2024.
The Egyptian Lawyers Syndicate:
Abdel-Halim Allam, the head of the Arab Lawyers Union and the President of the Lawyers Syndicate, confirmed that he is closely monitoring the situation of the detained lawyer Islam Sobhi in Saudi Arabia. He mentioned that he is in communication with relevant authorities to expedite his release and provide him with all possible support. Sobhi was arrested by Saudi authorities after posting a video on social media calling for intervention to assist pilgrims amid increasing death cases.
The Syndicate also announced that it has filed an official complaint addressed to the Supreme Council for Media Regulation against Al-Fajr newspaper. This action was taken due to the publication of inaccurate news and malicious rumors concerning the General Syndicate President and the Syndicate Council.
The Egyptian Engineers Syndicate:
The Engineers Syndicate Council has decided to approve the first step of the digital transformation plan for the General Syndicate. It formed a committee to study the feasibility of purchasing an additional stake in the shares of a certain company.
The Actors’ Syndicate:
Dr. Ashraf Zaki, affirmed the syndicate steadfastness in not changing its decisions regarding refusing normalization with Israel in any form. Artists who participated in normalization with Israel have been removed from all three syndicates (acting, cinema, and music), although their names were not disclosed.
Furthermore, the Actors’ Syndicate warned against dealing with any entities promoting acting workshops or tests related to the field of acting, stating that the syndicate does not recognize them and will take all necessary legal actions against such entities. Dr. Ashraf Zaki also denied any association of the syndicate with any workshops that are announced or promoted in the field of acting.
The Pharmacists Syndicate
Dr. Mahfouz Ramzi, head of the Manufacturing Committee at the Pharmacists Syndicate, emphasized that pharmacists are threatened with pharmacy closures due to pricing issues. He explained that each pharmacy has a specific sales volume, and after selling medications, there is a noticeable difference in invoices and prices of newly imported medications. He stressed that small pharmacies in particular are facing a significant crisis.
He further clarified that pharmacies need support through loans provided by distribution companies, with loan repayments aligned to ensure the continuity of pharmacy operations. He highlighted the urgent need for an immediate decision to change the mandatory pricing, adding that 70% of Egypt’s pharmacies, equivalent to 40,000 pharmacies, are at risk of closure.
The General Union of Tourist Guides
On Monday, 3 June 2024, the First Circuit of the Supreme Administrative Court rejected appeal No. 31109 for the year 70 of the Administrative Judiciary, filed by Samir Mohamed Abdel Wahab, in his capacity as the head of the Management Committee of the Tourist Guides Syndicate, against the ruling in lawsuit No. 58505 for the year 76 of the Administrative Judiciary to annul the negative decision to refrain from convening a general assembly of the syndicate, which was supposed to include on its agenda the conduct of elections for the syndicate. The court upheld the ruling.
This ruling, which could benefit up to 16,000 tourist guides nationwide, confirms the right of tourist guides to call for elections to form a council composed of members of the general assembly. Consequently, the government committee appointed by the Ministry of Tourism to manage the syndicate’s affairs will be excluded. This move shifts the syndicate’s governance entirely from being under the ministry’s oversight to being managed by an elected council that meets the aspirations of its members.
Labor Unions:
Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF):
A delegation from the General Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions, led by the federation’s president Mohamed Gobran, participated in the proceedings of the 112th session of the International Labour Conference held by the International Labour Organization at the United Nations Palace and the ILO headquarters in Geneva from June 3 to 14, 2024. The conference was attended by representatives of the three parties of labor from over 180 countries worldwide.
General Union of Engineering Industries
The Supreme Council for Social Dialogue in the field of labor, chaired by the Minister of Labor Hassan Shehata, held a meeting to continue discussing the provisions of the draft Labor Law, particularly those concerning the employment of women and children, work permits for foreigners, and employment contracts. This meeting aimed to prepare for its submission to the House of Representatives.
Eng. Khaled Mounir El-Fiqi, Vice President of the General Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions and President of the General Union of Workers in Engineering, Metal, and Electrical Industries, as well as the Local Federation of Workers’ Unions in Alexandria, participated in the meeting.
General Union of Administrative Services
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Qasr El Nil cleared on Sunday, June 3, 13 employees on bail, who were detained by security forces near the Journalists Syndicate on charges of participating in protests. These employees had been dismissed based on reports from drug analysis committees.
On May 19, former employees from various government bodies, along with their families, staged a protest in front of the Parliament in Qasr El Aini Street, protesting against their dismissal based on drug analysis committee reports. Participants carried banners demanding an amendment to Law No. 73 of 2021.
Ministry of Labor
Minister of Labor Hassan Shihata announced that Egypt has not been included in the International Labor Organization’s “List of Concerns” for the year 2024, issued by the United Nations agency.
Minister Shihata clarified that Egypt’s absence from the “long list” which includes 40 countries worldwide this year, means it is not included in the “short list,” commonly known in media as the “blacklist” in the labor file.
The Campaign for Right toTrade Union Organizing
As part of the Right to Trade Union Organizing campaign adopted by a coalition of political forces, union organizations, labor groups, and public figures, a seminar titled “Right to Organize: Between Reality and Law” was held at the headquarters of the Bread and Freedom Party (under establishment).
The campaign stated in its statement that the government is working to silence union and labor voices through various violations, such as attempting to obstruct elections of independent unions by exerting security pressure on their leaders to prevent them from running, freezing bank accounts of several unions, dissolving or merging unions, seizing union headquarters and their documents, and preventing union leaders from accessing their workplaces or communicating with their colleagues.
The Center for Trade Union and Workers Services (CTUWS)
The Supreme State Security Prosecution reviewed on Sunday, June 23, the renewal of detention order for Ahmed Abdel Fattah, the Assistant General Secretary of the Union Committee for Workers at East Delta Transport and Tourism Company, and a member of the Committee for Defending Trade Union Freedoms and Labor Rights, along with 4 others in Case No. 2124 of 2023. This was in the presence of a lawyer from the CTUWS, who requested his release due to lack of evidence supporting the accusations against him, which include joining a terrorist group and spreading false news.
Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights
With the escalation of heat wave hazards to fatal levels, the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights emphasized in its study the necessity for the state to take urgent measures to address them, akin to how it deals with pandemics, natural hazards, and humanitarian disasters and their consequential impacts. This includes minimizing their effects on human lives by enforcing preventive measures on establishments and employers, tightening supervision and inspection of non-compliant facilities, and taking strict action against violations to protect workers’ lives. Furthermore, the center called for exploring compensatory measures for workers for losses incurred due to these measures.
Additionally, the center urged expediting the implementation of the government’s digital transformation plan and the digitization of services, especially those related to patients and the elderly, who are the most vulnerable to heat stress hazards.
Section Three: Human Rights Organizations:
First: The most important activities, publications and initiatives of human rights institutions
National Council for Human Rights:
On May 28, 2024, the council, in collaboration with the “Human Rights, Women, and Children Sector” at the Ministry of Justice, held a workshop on “Human Rights Protection in the Context of Criminal Justice” as part of a cooperation protocol between the council and the European Union.
On June 8, 2024, the council organized a panel discussion titled “The Relationship between Culture, Media, and Law from the Perspective of Human Rights and Citizenship,” in collaboration with the Law and Culture Committee of the Supreme Council of Culture.
On June 12, the “Training and Capacity Building Committee” of the council organized a training session with neighborhood leaders in Cairo governorate on “Fundamental Concepts of Human Rights” at the council’s headquarters.
The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights
On June 11, 2024, the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights published a research paper warning about the potential heat stress affecting workers due to high temperatures and pressure in the current and upcoming days, highlighting its impact on workers during their work. The center called on all sectors to take necessary measures for their safety and occupational protection.
Center for Trade Union and Workers Services (CTUWS)
On May 31, 2024, Center for Trade Union and Workers Services organized a training workshop for the professional union committee of healthcare workers in Cairo to discuss Labor Law No. 12 of 2003.
On June 3, 2024, CTUWS issued a statement for signing in solidarity with the Workers Union of Suez Canal Authority Clubs due to the pressures they face from the Ministry of Labor.
On June 4, 2024, CTUWS released a statement regarding workers in water and sewage companies and ongoing sit-ins by collectors in some branches of the Holding Company (Aswan, Assiut, Sohag, Giza, Qalyubia) due to administrative and financial violations, including “annual contracts and low wages.”
Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms
On June 2, 2024, the Commission filed a report to the Attorney General of the Mansoura Prosecution regarding the unlawful detention and theft of money from Ahmed Mamdouh Abdel Wahab Mohamed Atwa since last April. The report was filed under case number 2836 for the year 2024 at the Mansoura Appeals Court.
On June 11, 2024, the Egyptian Commission condemned the ongoing systematic violations against the inmates of “Badr 1″ prison and the forced displacement of dissenters following a collective strike since June 1 due to inhumane treatment and poor detention conditions, in addition to prolonged pretrial detention.
On June 15, 2024, the institution stated through its Facebook account that following the end of Al Ahly’s match, security forces arrested dozens of Al Ahly fans for raising Palestinian flags inside the Borg El Arab Stadium and chanting slogans in support of Gaza during the match.
On June 20, 2024, the Commission published its report on the need for comprehensive legislation regarding the lives of refugees and migrants in Egypt.
On June 24, 2024, the Commission issued a position paper reaffirming its rejection of the phenomenon of illegal and arbitrary forced displacement of populations.
Climate Initiative for Environmental Studies
On June 4, 2024, the Administrative Court decided to refer the lawsuit filed by the Climate Initiative for Environmental Studies against the Minister of Environment, the Governor of Port Said, and others to the competent authority. This was regarding the ban on plastic use in Port Said.
On June 6, 2024, the initiative published several solutions and tips to reduce plastic use, manage plastic waste accumulation, and mitigate its impact on human, animal, and plant life.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
On June 5, 2024, the initiative conducted a comparative study on the inflation rate, price hikes, and their impact on pensioners, highlighting the gap between price increases and the maximum pension increase.
On June 8, the initiative commented on the Egyptian Drug Authority’s decision to introduce a new high-cost price list affecting chronic disease patients and the elderly.
On June 10, the initiative prepared a study titled “Ensuring the Green Doesn’t Disappear – Trees and Gardens in Egyptian Cities from an Environmental Justice Perspective,” emphasizing the benefits derived from the presence of trees.
Centre for Egyptian Women Legal Assistance (CEWLA)
On June 3, 2024, the Egyptian Women’s Foundation organized a dialogue session titled “Enhanced Protection for Women: Unified Law Against Violence,” held in Aswan Governorate.
On June 5, the foundation held an activation meeting for lawyers, social workers, and future case handlers from civil society organizations and youth initiatives to discuss legislative and legal mechanisms for protecting women from violence, especially digital violence.
Technology and Law Community – Masaar:
On June 3, 2024, Masar issued a research paper titled “The Impact of Digital Transformation on Economic and Social Rights.” The paper explores the impact of digital transformation on economic and social rights, focusing on three main rights: the right to education, the right to work, and the right to health.
On June 24, 2024, Masar also released a research paper titled “Towards a More Equitable Digital Future: Principles of Data Justice and Human Rights.” The paper examines the possibility of integrating principles of data justice with frameworks of digital rights and human rights.
The New Woman Foundation:
On June 23, the New Woman Foundation organized a three-day training workshop on drafting policy papers and conducting critical analysis of laws from a feminist perspective, following an incident in Giza.
On the same date, the New Woman Foundation also conducted a workshop on the Sustainable Development Agenda from a gender perspective for our partners from unions and civil society organizations in Cairo.
Joint Human Rights Activities:
On June 5, 2024, several human rights organizations launched a petition for electronic signature demanding the immediate release of Ahmed El-Tantawi, Mohamed Abu al-Diyar, and all members of their electoral campaign after they were sentenced to one year in prison in the case known as “Popular Delegations.”
On June 11, organizations expressed their support for the statement issued by UN rapporteurs regarding cases of harassment, persecution, and prolonged imprisonment affecting human rights lawyers working on public affairs issues, including lawyers Mohamed Issa Rajeh and Mahmoud Adel from the Egyptian Front.
Secondly: Violations and Harassment
1- Renewal of Detention:
On June 3, 2024, the Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to renew the detention of students Mazen Ahmed Draz and Ziad Mohamed El-Basuni for 15 days in Case No. 1941 of 2024, related to Supreme State Security investigations, on charges of belonging to a terrorist group and spreading false news. On June 13, the prosecution decided to extend their detention for another 15 days.
On June 5, the Terrorism Circuit of the Criminal Court held at the Tora Prison Complex renewed the detention of 14 suspects for 45 days in Case No. 2468 of 2023, related to Supreme State Security, known as the “Supporting Palestine Protests.”
On June 10, the Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to renew the detention of Ahmed Hamdi El-Sayed Suleiman, known as “Ahmed Gika,” for 15 days in Case No. 165 of 2024, related to Supreme State Security investigations, on charges of belonging to a terrorist group and financing. On June 24, the prosecution decided to extend his detention for another 15 days.
Also on the same date, the Third Terrorism Circuit of the Criminal Court held at Badr Prison renewed the detention of journalist Tawfik Abdulwahid Ibrahim Ghanem for 45 days in Case No. 238 of 2021, related to Supreme State Security, despite exceeding the maximum period for pretrial detention.
2- Judicial Rulings
On June 12, 2024, the Egyptian Commission obtained a verdict from the North Cairo Criminal Court acquitting Abdullah Amer Abdou Mohamed in Case No. 1087 of 2021, State Security Emergency Khedivial Gardens, which is the fourth case in which he was acquitted out of 6 cases against him.
3- Legal Victories
On June 2, 2024, in the presence of some human rights organizations, the Public Prosecution decided to release a group of dismissed from work employees after protesting against the drug testing law and employment conditions. They organized a protest in front of the Journalists Syndicate after notifying the police department.
On June 3, the Egyptian Center obtained a judgment from the Supreme Administrative Court rejecting the appeal filed by the acting head of the Tourist Guides Syndicate. Elections for the syndicate and the formation of an elected council are scheduled.
On June 6, the Egyptian Center announced that the Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to release 5 defendants in the case known as the “November 11 Protests,” registered under Case No. 1893 of 2022, State Security.
On June 14, the Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to release both Mahmoud Mohamed Abdelghaffar and Abdelrahman Mohamed Abdelrahman Hamam in Case No. 2070 of 2022, Supreme State Security.