
Introduction:
The month of December witnessed many events, most notably the fall of the dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria. This had an impact on the political scene in Egypt, where parties close to the government announced their support for the regime. Meanwhile, some parties expressed fears of a similar event occurring and spreading to Egypt.
Additionally, the House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to the new Criminal Procedure Law draft, despite many criticisms from entities such as the Bar Association, the Judges Club, the Journalists Syndicate, and civil society organizations.
Homeland Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan):
As usual, the party’s activities are almost limited to charitable events. It organized a celebration for people with disabilities and special needs in Marsa Matruh, a food commodities fair in Aswan, a medical convoy in Kafr El-Sheikh, and another in Sharqia.
On December 21, the party launched the activities of the Upper Egypt Youth Conference at the Minya Governorate Stadium, with the participation of 15,000 young men and women.
Homeland Protectors Party
As if it were the younger sibling following in the footsteps of its elder brother, Mostaqbal Watan, the party’s activities focused on developmental and health initiatives. Alongside this, it announced its stance on Bashar al-Assad’s escape from Syria, supporting Egypt’s position in backing the Syrian state in light of the recent changes it has experienced.
Union of Arab Tribes
The union sparked controversy this month with the announcement of the establishment of a new political party called the “National Union of Egypt” or “Egyptian Entity,” led by the head of the Union of Arab Tribes, Ibrahim Al-Arjany.
Some press reports mentioned that the new party would operate “under the umbrella of the Union of Arab Tribes” and include political figures close to the presidency.
Al-Nour Salafist Party
The party did not announce any activities this month except for the opening of a headquarters in Alamein and a statement condemning the Israeli attack on Syrian territory.
The Justice Party (El Adl):
This month, the party announced its follow-up on the events in Syria.
It also organized a roundtable discussion on the rights of people with disabilities, as well as another roundtable titled “Parliament 2025: Challenges, Opportunities, and Enhancing Participation.”
The Egyptian Democratic Social Party:
This month, the party intensified its political educational and training workshops. Politically, the party issued a statement congratulating the Syrian people on the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Among the workshops organized were:
A training session titled “Public Speaking Skills.”
A workshop on amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law, discussing the proposed changes.
The party’s Women’s Secretariat also held:
A seminar on “Digital Violence,” attended by several parliamentary members of the party.
A seminar titled “Party Life in Egypt and the Current Political Moment.”
A seminar titled “An Analysis of the U.S. Elections and Their Impact on the Regional and Local Landscape.”
Additionally, MP Samira El-Gazzar, a member of the party’s parliamentary bloc, submitted a briefing request calling for energy conservation in government institutions.
The party also renewed its demand for a presidential pardon for activist Mohamed Adel, the release of political activists, and expanded public freedoms, particularly freedom of opinion and expression.
The Republican People’s Party
The People’s Party focused this month on organizing awareness seminars, such as those addressing the dangers of fourth- and fifth-generation warfare and combating electronic blackmail in Sohag.
On December 3, the People’s Republican Party Secretariat in Gharbia held a grand celebration to prepare and host the weddings of 70 underprivileged young men and women from the governorate who were about to get married. The event was attended by the Ministers of Youth and Sports, Public Enterprises, and the Governor of Gharbia.
On December 9, the People’s Republican Party announced its full support for Egypt’s stance on the developments in Syria.
On December 11, the party’s secretariat in the Tala District of Dakahlia Governorate held an awareness seminar titled “Values of Loyalty and National Belonging and Addressing the Dangers of Fourth- and Fifth-Generation Warfare.”
The Conservatives Party (Al Mohafezeen):
This month, the party addressed several crises, including the rising prices of food commodities and the shortage of medicines in the Egyptian market.
The party also condemned the arrest of journalist Sayed Saber and his 15-day pretrial detention for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
On December 5, the party organized a seminar titled “Rising Prices: Causes, Effects, and Solutions,” held at its headquarters in Garden City.
Additionally, the party congratulated the Syrian people on the end of Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
The Constitution Party (Al Dostour):
The Constitution Party is still grappling with an internal and legal crisis that has reached the Political Parties Committee. The party considered the committee’s intervention and decisions to have worsened the crisis rather than resolving it.
The party also expressed solidarity with the Syrian people, stating in its statement that the end of a dark era in Syria is not something to mourn.
The Dignity (Al-Karama) Party:
The party continued its support for the former Syrian regime and Bashar al-Assad, despite his fall. It also condemned the arrest of journalist Sayed Saber, considering it a continuation of the regime’s policy of silencing voices and suppressing political freedoms.
The Current of Hope Party (Tayyar Al Amal) (under establishment):
This month, the “Tayar Al-Amal” Party followed the case of the party’s co-founder and former presidential candidate Ahmed Tantawi, after the Third Circuit of the Court of Cassation rejected the appeal he and Mr. Mohamed Abu Al-Diar filed in case No. 16336 of 2023, Maatarya misdemeanors.
The party also condemned the arrest of journalist and novelist Sayed Saber, a member of the presidential campaign for the banned candidate Ahmed Tantawi, as he was performing his role as an intellectual by spreading awareness and ideas through his works and writings.
The Bread and Freedom Party (under establishment):
This month, the party focused on highlighting support policies and the future of social justice in Egypt.
The party also announced its support and solidarity with the Syrian people, stating in its statement that Bashar al-Assad’s escape from Syria marked the end of his family’s criminal rule, which had lasted for over half a century.
On December 10, the party held a discussion session on support policies and the future of social justice in Egypt.
Additionally, the party expressed its full solidarity with journalist Rasha Azab in her sit-in and called for an end to the security practices threatening her personal life.
The Popular Socialist Alliance Party:
This month, the party focused on highlighting the dangers of excluding the people, restricting freedoms, and ruling with the grip of security apparatuses, and it shed light on the situation in Syria.
On December 4, the Popular Alliance Party organized a seminar on the old rental law and the Constitutional Court’s ruling.
The party also rejected the Medical Liability Law and warned against the privatization of the healthcare sector. In a statement, the party emphasized that the law is an extension of privatization policies targeting the Egyptian healthcare sector and would increase the burdens on citizens.
The Revolutionary Socialists Movement:
This month, the movement blended local and global politics with economic issues. After the fall of Assad’s regime in Syria, it questioned the extent of intervention by Gulf rulers and Arab dictatorships in Syria. On the domestic front, the movement announced its support for Dr. Laila Soueif and her ongoing hunger strike to secure the release of her son, Alaa Abdel-Fattah.
The movement also expressed solidarity with fishermen in “Burlus” and “Azbet Al-Burj” who have been banned from fishing in the Red Sea. It also stood in solidarity with journalist Rasha Azab, who had entered into an open sit-in at the Press Syndicate in protest against the security threats and harassment she had been facing.
Like other political forces, the movement mourned the death of Dr. Yahya El-Qazzaz, a prominent defender of freedom and democracy in Egypt, and one of the founders of the March 9 Movement for University Independence and the Kefaya Movement. He was also a prominent voice during the January 25 Revolution.
Section 2: Professional and Labor Unions
Professional Unions:
The Engineers’ Syndicate
The head of the Engineers Syndicate emphasized that improving the quality of engineering education and reducing the number of students admitted to engineering faculties are the fundamental solutions to restoring the profession’s rightful status. He welcomed the suggestion of establishing a preparatory year in engineering faculties, provided it is applied to all students.
The Engineers Syndicate’s Youth and Student Outreach Committee announced that it will train ten thousand engineers in professional project management. This follows the success it achieved in September in preparing young engineers for the job market.
The Egyptian Syndicate of Commercial Professions
The head of the Commercial Syndicate in Cairo, Dr. Hafiz Al-Ghandour, announced that 1.6 million members have refrained from subscribing to the syndicate due to the suspension of pensions.
Al-Ghandour explained that the last general assembly held by the Commercial Syndicate was in 1993, initially due to Law 100. This continued until 2011 when decisions were made to suspend the law and amend it with the new election law, which abolished the 50% membership requirement. In 2013, elections were held for the syndicate, but they were contested, and a ruling was issued to halt the elections due to flaws in the law. Since 2014, there have been attempts to amend the law, but it has not been approved yet, despite the government’s response to our demands and the submission of the amendments to the Shura and People’s Councils.
The Acting Professions Syndicate
A cooperation protocol was signed between the Healthcare Hospitals and Educational Institutes Authority and the Actors Syndicate. The aim of the protocol is to provide comprehensive and high-quality medical services to the syndicate members, including treatment at several hospitals and specialized institutes affiliated with the authority.
The Lawyers’ Syndicate
Abdel Halim Alam, the head of the Lawyers Syndicate and President of the Arab Lawyers Union, signed the first-of-its-kind cooperation protocol between Egyptian professional syndicates with engineer Tarek Al-Nabrawi, head of the Engineers Syndicate, and Khaled Al-Balshi, head of the Journalists Syndicate, at the headquarters of the Lawyers Syndicate. The protocol aims to cooperate in the field of healthcare services provided by the three syndicates, in order to secure the best prices and competitive advantages from healthcare service providers, ensuring high quality at the lowest possible cost.
The Lawyers Syndicate also announced the postponement of setting the dates for branch elections until the completion of merger assemblies and decisions on the implementation of rulings.
The Doctors’ Syndicate
The General Medical Syndicate Council called on all doctors in Egypt to participate in the emergency General Assembly on January 3 to announce their rejection of the “Medical Liability Law” and to discuss the necessary actions against the proposed law. The law includes provisions that could legalize the imprisonment of doctors in professional cases, according to the official page of the General Medical Syndicate of Egypt.
Dr. Mohamed Farid Hamdy, the Secretary-General of the Doctors Syndicate, also communicated with the Nurses Syndicate head, Kawthar Mahmoud, to discuss the Medical Liability Law, the latest developments regarding it, and to clarify the position of the Doctors Syndicate on the matter. They also reviewed the amendments proposed, especially since the law affects all healthcare service providers, including nursing staff.
The Teachers Syndicate
The Administrative Court rejected 19 appeals from teachers against the decision of the Minister of Education to exclude them from the “30,000 Teacher” competition, according to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights. The competition was conducted under the supervision of the Military Academy after the Cabinet issued a circular in April 2023 requiring state institutions to ensure that candidates seeking government employment complete a six-month training course at the Military Academy as a prerequisite for hiring.
The Parliament discussed the inquiries submitted by female and male MPs regarding the exclusion of teachers, despite their success in the “30,000 Teacher” competition. The discussion followed a court ruling that denied the rights of those excluded.
The Egyptian Initiative had filed an appeal before the Administrative Court of the State Council on behalf of 94 excluded women and 12 men, totaling 106 plaintiffs who had applied for the tests in 17 governorates. The lawsuits included 50 appeals regarding exclusion due to weight, 28 for the appearance examination, and 28 for pregnancy.
It is worth noting that the rulings were contrary to the reports of the Commissioners Authority at the Administrative Court of the Ministry of Justice, which had supported the excluded applicants, with all reports ruling in their favor.
The Journalists’ Syndicate
Khaled El-Balshi, the head of the Journalists Syndicate, announced his full solidarity with the demands of the Doctors Syndicate and medical staff regarding the new Medical Liability Law, which was provisionally approved by the Senate without addressing many of the syndicate’s concerns.
The Sixth General Conference of Journalists, in its concluding recommendations, called for the release of all imprisoned journalists and the clearing of prisons of those detained for publishing, opinion, and expression cases, particularly those who have exceeded the maximum period of pretrial detention (two years), and the cessation of bringing new charges against them, commonly referred to as “recycling” of cases, to prevent their continued detention.
The Training Center of the Journalists Syndicate, in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists, announced a training grant for journalists in the Canal governorates (Port Said, Ismailia, Suez), as well as in the governorates of Sharqia, North Sinai, and South Sinai. The training course will be held over three days, with applicants required to be under 45 years of age.
The “Telecommunications Journalists” division of the Syndicate condemned the lack of official statements regarding the rise in telecommunications and internet service prices. They highlighted the absence of accurate information, the failure of officials to respond to journalists’ questions, and the need to enhance transparency and regularly provide information to journalists to avoid any confusion or exploitation that could harm the sector.
The Women’s Salon at the Journalists Syndicate organized a roundtable discussion titled “Ways to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Finally, journalist Hassan Al-Qabbani was acquitted of charges related to joining a terrorist group, spreading and broadcasting false news and statements, and other accusations.
The Dental Syndicate
The Dental Syndicate expressed its strong rejection of the current draft of the Medical Liability Law, citing provisions that threaten the stability of the professional environment and expose doctors to unjustified legal risks. The syndicate also emphasized its opposition to the idea of pretrial detention for doctors in cases related to medical practice, asserting that medical errors are not criminal offenses but rather part of the nature of the professional work.
The Veterinarians’ Syndicate
The head of the Veterinary Doctors Syndicate stated that veterinary medicine is a fundamental right of veterinary doctors at all stages. He emphasized the necessity of having a mechanism for the regulation and inspection of veterinary medicines by veterinary doctors within an integrated system.
Trade Unions:
Independent Syndicates
The Labor Court in Ismailia postponed the hearing of the lawsuit filed by the Trade Union Committee of the Suez Canal Authority Clubs’ Employees against the management of the authority’s clubs, due to the suspension of the committee’s activities and the refusal to recognize it, to a session on January 1st. Earlier, in June, several union and political figures and groups launched a solidarity campaign in support of the Trade Union Committee of the Suez Canal Authority Clubs’ employees.
The Solidarity of Trade Unions Federation (STUF)
As part of training and awareness campaigns for workers, the Alexandria Taxation Syndicate and the Nile Linen Group Syndicate (members of STUF), in collaboration with the New Woman Foundation, held a joint seminar titled “No to Violence and Harassment in the Workplace” in Alexandria. This event was part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and Harassment.
Egyptian Federation of Independent Trade Unions
The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights signed a cooperation protocol with the Egyptian Federation of Independent Trade Unions and the Professional Syndicate of Tour Guides in Cairo, aiming to support and develop trade union work and strengthen labor rights in Egypt.
This cooperation aligns with the Egyptian Center’s commitment to providing legal and scientific expertise to enhance the role of trade unions in society and contribute to the establishment of workers’ and unionists’ rights in accordance with the Egyptian Constitution, laws, and international treaties.
The protocol includes several cooperation provisions, such as offering legal services to the federation and the Professional Syndicate of Tour Guides, including defense in courts, providing legal consultations, and reviewing contracts and agreements.
Additionally, the Egyptian Center will represent the federation and the Professional Syndicate of Tour Guides before government institutions, public bodies, and private entities to promote their interests.
The General Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions
The President of the Egyptian Federation of Trade Unions decided to form a legislative committee, chaired by him, to study and review the provisions of the Trade Unions Law and the Protection of the Right to Organize, Law No. 213 of 2018. The committee will include several members of the Federation’s Board of Directors and the heads of general labor unions with relevant expertise.
The General Syndicate of Workers in Construction and Wood
Workers at the “Inova Ceramics” factory in Faiyum went on strike due to the non-payment of their salaries for two months and in demand of implementing the minimum wage.
The Building and Wood Workers Syndicate organized a training course in Alexandria titled “Skills of Collective Negotiation,” aimed at educating employee representatives on how to resolve issues through negotiation.
Textile Workers Syndicate
Workers at the Turkish-Egyptian company for garment manufacturing, “T&C Garment,” in the Obour City organized a protest to demand a cash allowance for the annual leave balance for the years 2023 and 2024. They also called for a review of the balance to be paid, which was set by the company but did not include the days of holidays and public celebrations they worked through.
The company employs about 6,000 workers in Egypt, with nearly half of them being women. The company exports all its production, with 70% going to the American market and 30% to European markets.
The General Syndicate of Workers in Prosecutions and Courts
Kareem Abdel-Baki, the Chairman of the General Syndicate of Workers in Prosecutions and Courts, stated that the Syndicate Council has decided to take on the responsibility of addressing the technological illiteracy among employees in line with the state’s direction towards digital transformation in service delivery.
He added: “We have implemented many training courses to qualify employees for the digital transformation, and we have successfully trained over 30,000 employees nationwide in computer skills and the ICDL (International Computer Driving License).”
The Center for Trade Union and Workers’ Services (CTUWS)
CTUWS organized its third training course on legislation, held at its headquarters in Cairo Governorate.
The course was attended by 16 trade union and labor leaders representing unions from various sectors, including (Real Estate Taxes, Communications, Fishermen, Adult Education, Leoni Wiring Systems, Mondelez, Saba, and the General Union of Ambulance Workers) from the governorates of Cairo, Alexandria, Ismailia, Port Said, Damietta, Faiyum, and Asyut.
The Committee for the Defense of Trade Union Freedoms and the Right to Work
The Committee for the Defense of Trade Union Freedoms and the Right to Work supported the ruling that annulled the compulsory membership for drivers, and called on political and civil forces to participate in and support the implementation of the final ruling.
On October 16th, the Supreme Administrative Court rejected the appeal submitted by the State Litigation Authority, with case numbers 58677 and 58681, regarding the “first-degree” ruling issued by the Administrative Court on June 26th, which annulled the requirement for drivers to be members of a union in order to obtain a professional license. The court upheld the previous ruling, making it final.
The Permanent Conference for Working Women
The Permanent Conference for Working Women, in cooperation with the Center for Trade Union and Workers Services, organized a workshop in Port Said on the rights of female workers in the private sector under the new Labor Law, which is set to replace the current Law No. 12 of 2003. The discussion highlighted many challenges affecting their economic and social conditions.
The Labor Law
The House of Representatives has resumed discussions on the new Labor Law after a long hiatus, amid dissatisfaction over the potential constitutional violations in the proposed law and the government’s insistence on disregarding the views of workers in the discussions.
Section Three: Human Rights Movements and Institutions
Key Activities, Publications, and Initiatives of Human Rights Institutions
The National Council for Human Rights
This month, the National Council shifted away from its primary role of protecting rights and freedoms, by endorsing the new Criminal Procedure Law and overlooking the rights of those held in pretrial detention in violation of the law.
During the month, the National Council organized a workshop on the rights of migrant workers and their families, based on the international convention for the protection of migrant workers’ rights and their families. The Council also held a meeting with a delegation of representatives from the European Union embassies in Cairo, aimed at enhancing and promoting human rights protection and raising awareness of these rights.
Additionally, the Council organized two workshops in Cairo and Sohag on “Human Rights, Reproductive Health, and Proper Education.” They also held a conference titled “Media and Human Rights: Approaches to the Role of Media in Raising Awareness and Monitoring the Implementation of Rights.”
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights
On December 4th, the Initiative presented proposals for amendments to the Social Security Law draft proposed by the government before it was passed in Parliament.
On December 9th, the Initiative held both the Attorney General and the Minister of Interior responsible for the health and safety of human rights lawyer Ibrahim Metwally, who has been detained in Badr 3 prison for over 7 years in pretrial detention in violation of the law.
On December 10th, the Initiative published its report on International Human Rights Day, which reviewed the violations that Egypt has witnessed over the past decade. The report focused on ongoing violations, particularly during the period from 2019 to 2023.
On December 11th, the Initiative announced that about 30 Syrians had been arrested from two different locations in connection with their celebrations in 6th of October city over the fall of Bashar al-Assad. They were charged with “gathering and assembly without a security permit,” and the Initiative found that security forces had deported three of the arrested Syrians.
On December 16th, the Initiative published proposed amendments to the draft law regulating medical liability and protecting patients, after two decades of placing the idea on the health reform agenda. This law is considered one of the essential legislations needed for the medical system.
The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms
On December 1st, the Commission announced that Leila Seweif had continued her hunger strike for more than two months in protest against the failure to count her son Alaa Abdel-Fattah’s pretrial detention towards his sentence.
The Commission also condemned the arrest of journalist Sayid Saber and his detention for 15 days on the usual charges.
On December 11th, the Commission re-published its report on the Waraq Island crisis, condemning the government’s attempt to seize the island. It renewed calls for solidarity with the residents of Waraq and for the lifting of the imposed siege on them.
On December 18th, the Commission expressed its solidarity with journalist Rasha Azab and called for an end to the targeting, intimidation, and harassment against her.
The Center for Trade Unions and Workers Services (CTUWS):
On December 4th, the Center organized a discussion session focusing on the progress made in the “Towards a Fair Labor Law” campaign, which aims to amend the provisions of the proposed new labor law from the government to align with the interests and needs of workers.
On December 8th, the Center held its third training session, focusing on social insurance legislation.
On December 15th, the Center announced that drivers at the Transport Authority could obtain a copy of the executive version of the ruling exempting them from paying union membership fees.
On December 22nd, the Center reported that the Labor Committee of the House of Representatives resumed discussions on the new labor law proposed by the government, continuing to ignore the demands of independent and democratic trade unions and political forces for hearings that include all concerned parties.
New Woman Foundation:
This month, the New Woman Foundation organized several meetings, seminars, and workshops, including:
A workshop on case management systems and providing services for survivors of violence.
A consultative meeting between several civil society organizations and feminist initiatives to continue discussions on the Beijing Platform for Action, marking its 30th anniversary.
A community dialogue session in collaboration with the International Public Services Union, titled “Corporate Social Responsibility in Activating Protection Policies in the World of Work.”
On December 18th, the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Task Force filed a complaint with the Administrative Prosecution and a grievance with the Medical Syndicate against Dr. Ahmed Adel, a lecturer at Cairo University’s Faculty of Medicine, after he appeared in a video on the “MedicaZone” Instagram page containing misleading information that incited female genital mutilation.
A community dialogue session titled “Decent Work for Women Between the Care Economy and Protection Mechanisms” was also held, as part of the project to strengthen the role of trade unions and associations in implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Masar Foundation – Community of Technology and Law:
This month, Masar published a research paper titled:
“Invisible Surveillance: How Digital Technology Threatens Workers’ Rights.”
Additionally, they released an episode of the “Connect Podcast” discussing:
“The Right to Access the Internet as a Fundamental Right.”
Centre for Egyptian Women Legal Assistance Foundation
This month, The Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance Foundation organized several meetings, seminars, and workshops, including:
A research paper on “The Cases of Violence Faced by Women with Disabilities, Particularly Those with Hearing Impairments,” highlighting how survivors of such violence are often responsible for finding someone to help them communicate their complaints.
A meeting focused on “Drafting a Unified Law Proposal for Combating Violence Against Women.”
The launch of a campaign to evaluate international mechanisms and the status of women within them, marking 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995.
The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights
On December 10, 2024, on International Human Rights Day, the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights called for the release of prisoners of conscience, the protection of workers’ rights, and the improvement of refugees’ conditions. The center emphasized the need to ensure human rights for all individuals in Egypt, particularly for workers and those deprived of their fundamental rights.
During 2024, the Egyptian Center filed 60 lawsuits on behalf of a group of workers at Universal Company, challenging the company’s decisions to dismiss them and delay the payment of their entitlements. Labor courts ruled in favor of the workers in 55 of these lawsuits, reflecting the center’s success in achieving justice for the affected workers.
The Freedom of Thought and Expression Foundation
On December 15, the Freedom of Thought organization published its report on press and media freedom violations during the third quarter of 2024. The report highlighted the following incidents:
The seizure of “Kairly” the poetry book of activist Ahmed Douma and his security harassment.
The raid on Dar Al-Marayah for Culture and Arts, resulting in the confiscation of at least 217 books.
Joint Human Rights Activities
A coalition of 34 human rights organizations and institutions is calling for the lifting of the arbitrary travel ban and the freezing of assets imposed on three directors of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which has been ongoing for four years since their arrest and subsequent release.
Violations and Harassment:
Renewal of Detention
On December 8, the Cairo Criminal Court decided to extend the detention of journalist Khaled Mamdouh and six others for another 45 days, pending investigation in various cases.
On December 9, the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court decided to renew the detention of journalist Mohamed Saad Khattab Haji for 45 days in case No. 2063 of 2023, State Security Supreme Court.
On December 11, the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court decided to extend the detention of Yemeni refugee Abdelbaki Said Abdo Ali and six others, including poet Jalal Al-Bahiri and Mohamed Al-Qassas, for 45 days in various cases.
On December 12, the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court decided to extend the detention of translator Ashraf Omar and activist Sherif El-Roubi for 45 days, pending investigation in various cases.
On December 15, the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court decided to extend the detention of Sherif Mohamed Ali El-Roubi for 45 days in case No. 1634 of 2022, State Security Supreme Court.
Additionally, the Supreme State Security Prosecution summoned three detainees, Omar Ahmed, Maysem Zakaria, and Louay Hafiz, from their detention and transferred them to a new case, charged with joining and funding a terrorist group. The new case they were transferred to is case No. 595 of 2021, State Security Supreme Court.
On December 16, the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court decided to extend the detention of lawyer Ibrahim Abdelmonem Metwally Hegazy, founder of the “Families of the Enforced Disappeared” association, Mohamed Ali Ibrahim Al-Qassas, Vice President of the Egypt Strong Party, Ahmed Hamdi Geeka, and another individual for 45 days, pending investigation in various cases.
On December 23, the Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to extend the detention of economic expert Dr. Abdelkhaleq Farouk for 15 days.
The Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court also decided to extend the detention of engineer Yehya Hussein Abdelhadi and young man Yusuf Ahmed Riyou for 45 days, pending investigation in cases before the Supreme State Security Prosecution.
On December 24, the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court decided to extend the detention of photojournalist Hamdy El-Zaim for another 45 days, in violation of the law, pending investigation in a case before the Supreme State Security Prosecution.
Judicial Rulings:
On December 1, 2024, the CTUWS announced that the Cairo Court of Appeal (Labor Circuit) had granted permission to appeal the unconstitutionality of Article 27 of the Social Insurance and Pensions Law No. 148 of 2019, which discriminates against certain categories of state employees compared to other insured groups, in violation of the Egyptian Constitution.
The Egyptian Center obtained significant rulings from the Port Said Labor Court, requiring the Sisters of the Good Shepherd School to pay over 140,000 Egyptian pounds in compensation to worker “Fayqa M. N.” after it was proven that she had been wrongfully dismissed.
On December 16, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights condemned the continued lack of judicial impartiality, following the sudden final ruling by the Court of Cassation, which upheld the imprisonment of opposition politician Ahmed Al-Tantawy and his election campaign manager, lawyer Mohamed Abu Al-Diar, for one year. The ruling also prohibited Al-Tantawy from running for parliament for five years due to his attempt to run in the last presidential elections.
Trials
On December 10, the Ninth Circuit of the Alexandria Appeals Court decided to postpone the trial of three individuals from the city of Sidi Barrani in Matrouh, who were convicted in the media-known “Sidi Barrani Case.” They had been sentenced to life imprisonment for the first defendant and five years for the second and third defendants. The trial was rescheduled for January 12 to hear from the chief forensic doctor.
On December 15, the Second Terrorism Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court decided to adjourn the trial of Dr. Ahmed Shawky Abdel-Sattar Amasha to February 8 for the continuation of the defense’s arguments.
On December 16, the Administrative Court decided to refer the lawsuit filed by Yasmin Ali Abdel-Latif against the President of Merit University in Sohag and others to the Commissioners’ Authority.
On December 23, the Supreme Administrative Court decided to postpone the hearing of the appeal filed by the client of the Freedom of Thought and Expression Foundation against Cairo University and the Faculty of Dentistry. The appeal concerns a decision to overlook her for a teaching assistant position due to security rejection. The case will be heard again on January 28 for a ruling.
Legal Victories:
On December 8, the disciplinary court decided to cancel the penalty decision issued by the Higher Institute of Technology against Dr. Manar Al-Tantawi.
On December 23, Cairo Governorate decided to implement the rulings issued by the Administrative Court in favor of a number of employees of the Azhar Tunnels, including the plaintiff and 380 other workers, against the Governor of Cairo and others, granting them the right to be treated financially according to the starting salary of their grade as stipulated in the personnel regulations of the National Authority for Tunnels.
On December 24, the Cairo Terrorism Court acquitted journalist Hassan Al-Qabbani in a case of mistaken identity, where he had been sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment in the “Rabaa Dispersal” case.