Civil Society in Egypt.. March 2025 Political Parties, Syndicates and Human Rights

Section One: Political Parties

Introduction:

• During the month of March, which coincided with the month of Ramadan, the government-supporting parties focused on charitable and service activities and expanded the distribution of food supplies to the poor. Meanwhile, opposition parties focused on the difficult economic conditions faced by Egyptians, as well as Israel’s violation of the truce in Gaza.

Homeland Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan):

The party launched the “Ramadan of Goodness 2025” initiative, distributing food supply boxes to the poor, as well as providing free medical convoys in many governorates. On the political level, the party is working on preparing and equipping cadres to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

• On the service level, the party organized a visit to the Oncology Institute and the Children’s Hospital in Tanta City, medical convoys to Qena, and a competition for top students in some governorates.
• The party also held an educational seminar titled “Raising Awareness of the Egyptian Family” and a training day as part of a series of courses aimed at preparing and qualifying party cadres at the levels of districts and centers in the governorate.

Homeland Protectors Party

During the month, the party focused on charitable activities in celebration of Ramadan, in addition to organizing religious events such as honoring Quran memorizers. On the political level, the party continued to support the government’s policies and endorse its decisions.

• The party organized a campaign to distribute food supply boxes to low-income individuals and a free medical convoy.
• On March 23, a delegation from the party’s Workers Secretariat visited the House of Representatives to participate in the final discussions on the Labor Law draft, and the secretariat presented its recommendations on the draft law.

The National Front Party

The Government’ Party Affairs Committee announced its approval of the notification for the party’s establishment. The approval came just a few days after the party submitted its founding papers, which included more than half a million official authorizations. The government had allocated 700 notary offices and mobile notarization vehicles to help the party collect founding authorizations.

• Observers believed that the swift establishment of the party was a response to the Egyptian political regime’s need to alter current power dynamics and the need for new economic actors in Egypt to secure political representation to protect their interests.

The Republican People’s Party

The party’s activities during the month were limited to charitable efforts, where it organized the “Iftar for Fasting People” initiative and distributed meals to poor families in various governorates. Party cadres also distributed Iftar meals to travelers on the roads, and the party set up several locations to sell meat and food products at reduced prices.

The Nour Salafist Party

The party actively participated in discussions on draft laws before the House of Representatives and called for the suspension of the TV series “Muawiya” due to its contradiction with the Salafi religious beliefs adopted by the party. It also supported government decisions rejecting plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza.

• The party submitted an interpellation regarding the deterioration of the cotton farming and marketing system and the harm suffered by farmers due to not receiving their financial dues, despite their commitment to supplying the crop to collection centers affiliated with the cotton marketing system since last September.
• On March 23, the head of the party’s parliamentary committee demanded that the Medical Liability Law aim to prevent the migration of doctors and balance the rights of doctors and patients by making the opinion of the technical committee investigating medical errors binding on the court.

The Egyptian Social Democratic Party

The party’s parliamentary bloc intensified its parliamentary activities in March, focusing on important laws, including the Labor Law and the Medical Liability Law, as well as condemning the Israeli aggression and violation of the ceasefire.

• On March 6, the party organized a workshop to discuss amendments to the Labor Law to build a unified stance on the draft law.
• On March 11, MP Samira Al-Jazzar, a member of the House of Representatives from the party, submitted a parliamentary question regarding the failure to implement the decision to disburse additional aid announced by the Prime Minister to beneficiaries through ration cards on the occasion of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.
• On March 16, MP Sanaa Al-Saeed submitted an interpellation addressed to the Prime Minister and Minister of Justice regarding unlawful increases in judicial service fees, which were decided by the President of the Cairo Court of Appeal and a member of the Supreme Judicial Council without legal basis.
• On March 23, Dr. Maha Abdel Nasser, a member of the House of Representatives, submitted an urgent statement addressed to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, and the Minister of Finance regarding the dimensions and circumstances of Abu Dhabi Bank’s acquisition of Banque du Caire.

The Conservatives Party (Al Mohafezeen):

The activities of the Conservative Party opposing the government were diverse, particularly criticizing the government’s sale of national banks to the UAE. The party also focused on the Palestinian issue, opposing the war, the violation of the truce, and the renewed bombardment of civilians in Gaza.

• On March 4, the party considered the Criminal Procedure Law approved by the House of Representatives in preparation for its issuance to be a fierce attack on the constitution, leading to further erosion of legally guaranteed rights and freedoms.
• On March 15, the party organized an interactive seminar titled “Musical Communication between Egypt and Sudan” in collaboration with the Initiative for the Advancement of Egypt’s Soft Power.
• On March 18, the Conservative Party issued a statement condemning the Zionist occupation’s aggression on the Gaza Strip, the direct shelling of densely populated civilian areas, and the Israeli government’s violation of the ceasefire and resumption of intensive airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in the martyrdom of hundreds of Palestinians.
• On March 19, the party issued a statement rejecting the Egyptian government’s intention to sell Banque du Caire to Emirates NBD, marking the second step in relinquishing control over the four major banks managing the Egyptian economy: National Bank of Egypt, Banque Misr, Bank of Alexandria, and Banque du Caire.

Bread and Freedom Party (Under Establishment)

The Bread and Freedom Party continued its opposition to government policies that harm the poor, particularly the laws currently being debated in parliament, which reduce the rights of workers and doctors and negatively impact the impoverished classes in general. The party also maintained its clear support for the Palestinian resistance and opposed the conciliatory stances of Arab countries.

• The party officially rejected the Labor Law draft under discussion in the general parliamentary session, expressing its objection to the exclusion of independent unions’ representatives and genuine stakeholders from a comprehensive societal dialogue involving all concerned parties.
• On March 18, the party announced its solidarity with more than 300 temporary employees at Helwan University who are facing attempts to force them to sign new contracts that threaten their acquired rights and deprive them of job security.
• On March 20, the party condemned Israel’s violation of the truce in Gaza and the renewed bombardment of civilians, an aggression that enjoys international support, particularly from the United States, amidst a complex regional situation resulting from the Arab division over President Trump’s plan aimed at displacing Gaza’s residents.

The Popular Socialist Alliance Party:

The party’s activities declined relatively during March, which coincided with Ramadan, focusing instead on developing its propaganda tools and issuing policy papers addressing the economic situation in Egypt and its impact on the poor.

• On March 4, the party released a trial issue of the magazine “Land, Labor, Capital,” which addressed the topic of political control over the Egyptian economy, particularly amid the sharp rise in domestic and foreign debts.

Revolutionary Socialists Movement

The movement focused its activities on opposing policies that negatively affect the poor, in addition to continuing participation in activities supporting the Palestinian resistance.

• On March 7, the movement condemned the House of Representatives’ preliminary approval of the Labor Law draft, describing it as the “Whales’ Law.” The draft law reduces workers’ rights to periodic bonuses, restricts the right to strike, and grants employers extensive powers to dismiss workers.
• On March 11, the movement denounced Israel’s violation of the truce in Gaza and the bombing of civilians, also criticizing the disgraceful positions of Arab countries, particularly the Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
• On March 20, the movement issued a statement condemning Israel’s resumption of bombing Gaza and expressing unconditional solidarity with the Palestinian resistance. The movement also participated in a protest in front of the Journalists’ Syndicate to denounce Israel’s aggression against civilians and to stand in solidarity with Gaza.

Section 2: Trade and Professional Unions

First: Trade Unions:

Agricultural Workers

• The Tenth of Ramadan Court decided to release 39 workers of the National Company for Protected Agriculture on bail of 3,000 EGP each, pending case No. 484 of 2025, Third Tenth of Ramadan Misdemeanor Court. The workers were accused of “disrupting production, assembly, and resisting authorities” following their sit-in on March 4th, demanding financial benefits specific to Ramadan.

Textile Workers

• Workers at Samannoud Textile and Weaving Company in Gharbia Governorate ended a strike after the company’s management responded to their demand to disburse the annual bonus of 250 EGP ”5 Dollars”, which had not been paid since last January.

Suez Canal Authority Clubs Workers

• The Ismailia Labor Court decided to refer the lawsuit filed by the Workers’ Union Committee of the Suez Canal Authority Clubs to a resident expert to examine the case papers and study the documents submitted by the union and other parties, according to a union statement.
• The Workers’ Union Committee had filed a lawsuit against the management of the Authority’s clubs after the three club boards of the Suez Canal Authority stopped remitting membership fees to the union in a direct attempt to dissolve it.

Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF)

• Eid Mersal, Secretary-General of the ETUF, announced that the federation has begun implementing a plan to form an African-Arab labor alliance aimed at unifying the efforts of trade unions in the region and strengthening their role in labor issues, as well as creating a strong union network capable of defending workers’ rights in African and Arab countries.
• During his speech at the Ordinary General Assembly of the General Union of Agricultural, Irrigation, Fishing, and Land Reclamation Workers, Mersal called for the establishment of a disaster fund for the approximately 4 million fishermen working in the sector, to provide the largest possible social and health care system for them. He also announced the launch of the investment plan for the trade union organization, which is expected to generate an initial financial return of 1.3 billion EGP.

Labor Law

During the general session, the House of Representatives approved the new Labor Law in principle.

• During the session, Counselor Hanafi El Gebali, the Speaker of the House, decided to postpone the final approval to a later session. This decision came after the government announced it would review a number of provisions with the Minister of Labor to ensure the law aligns with international standards and achieves a greater balance in labor relations. Once finalized, it will be presented to the House for approval.

Second: Trade Unions:

The Journalists’ Syndicate

The committee overseeing the midterm elections for the Journalists’ Syndicate decided to postpone the general assembly to Friday, April 4th, 2025, due to the lack of a legal quorum, which requires the attendance of 25% of the 10,232 active members.

• Temporary journalists in national institutions called on the National Press Authority to announce the final step in their appointment process and sign contracts, as ambiguity surrounded the concerned authorities’ stance over the past months following the completion of personal interviews.
• The Syndicate’s President, Khaled Al-Balshi, announced that three professional syndicates resumed dealings with Al-Borg and Al-Mokhtabar Laboratories after the two laboratories complied with the syndicates’ demands and reduced service prices for 2025.
• The Journalists’ Syndicate held a solidarity meeting with the families of 24 imprisoned journalists. President Khaled Al-Balshi called for their release before Ramadan and urged for the release of all prisoners of conscience.
• On Sunday, March 16th, 2025, the Cultural and Artistic Committee held a seminar titled “Colonial Schemes: From Partition to Trump’s Project and Attempts at Displacement.”

Lawyers’ Syndicate

The Lawyers’ Syndicate announced a suspension of dealings with all court treasuries nationwide, in protest against the increase in judicial fees, particularly in appellate courts, according to a syndicate statement.

• MP Al-Sayed Shams Al-Din submitted an inquiry to Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Parliamentary and Legal Affairs Mahmoud Fawzi regarding the rumored establishment of a Lawyers’ Syndicate, questioning the motives behind these “dangerous” calls that threaten the historic syndicate.
• The MP fully supported statements made by Abdel Halim Allam, the Lawyers’ Syndicate President and President of the Arab Lawyers Union, who emphasized that discussions about establishing a parallel legal syndicate represent a real threat and the beginning of the end for the Lawyers’ Syndicate. He stressed that it would not be allowed, describing it as a blatant attempt to undermine the profession and manipulate the future of lawyers.

Egyptian Medical Syndicate

• The Egyptian Medical Syndicate, led by Dr. Osama Abdel-Hai, condemned the crime committed by the Israeli occupation, which targeted the surgery department at Nasser Medical Complex. The brutal bombing killed patients, medical staff, and innocent visitors, resulting in the martyrdom of several Palestinians in a horrific massacre, which adds to the dark record of Zionist war crimes.
• The Egyptian House of Representatives has definitively approved the Medical Liability Law proposed by the government, after adding a new provision that imposes a penalty of imprisonment for up to three months or a fine not exceeding 30,000 EGP (592 USD), or either of these penalties, for anyone who falsely reports, with malicious intent, against a medical service provider or the facility where the treatment takes place, even if the report does not lead to criminal charges being filed.

Engineers’ Syndicate

• The Secretary-General of the Engineers’ Syndicate, Mahmoud Arafat, clarified that engineers’ pensions increased last year to 1600 EGP, up from 1350 EGP.
• The Secretary-General of the Engineers’ Syndicate confirmed that the syndicate played a patriotic role in supporting the state’s efforts and political leadership in rebuilding Gaza and countering attempts to displace the Palestinian people by forming a “Gaza Reconstruction Committee” to provide necessary engineering consultations and expertise to the relevant authorities for the reconstruction of Gaza.
• Engineer Karim Al-Kassar, the Assistant Secretary-General of the Engineers’ Syndicate, announced that the Higher Council of the Engineers’ Syndicate had decided to raise engineers’ pensions by 400 EGP retroactively from January 2025, bringing the monthly pension amount to 2000 EGP instead of 1600 EGP.

Pharmacists Syndicate

The Administrative Court, Third Circuit for Unions, issued its ruling in case No. 9625 of 79, obligating the Pharmacists Syndicate to register a pharmacy graduate from a Russian university in the syndicate’s records and grant them a license to practice the profession. This decision followed the rejection of their application by the relevant authorities without legal grounds. The court also annulled the decision made by the General Assembly of the Pharmacists Syndicate on December 28, 2013, which required a minimum percentage in the high school certificate for the registration of foreign university graduates. The court confirmed that this decision represented an encroachment on the authority of the Supreme Council of Universities, the sole entity authorized to validate foreign degrees.

Nursing Syndicate

Dr. Kawthar Mahmoud, head of the Nursing Syndicate and member of the Senate, announced the success of the ordinary General Assembly of the Nursing Syndicate. She confirmed that all legal procedures would begin to conduct elections for the general and branch syndicates at all levels, ensuring the continuation of institutional work within the syndicate and the democratic representation of its members.

Musical Professions Syndicate

The Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions, led by artist Mustafa Kamel, issued a decision banning Lebanese artist Haifa Wehbe from performing in the country. This decision followed a legal dispute between Wehbe and her former manager, Khaled El-Tohamy, who filed an official complaint against her to the syndicate, accusing her of defaming and insulting him.

Section Three: Human Rights Movements and Institutions

Key Activities, Publications, and Initiatives of Human Rights Institutions

The National Council for Human Rights

The National Council for Human Rights carried out numerous events and activities throughout March with flashy headlines, but a statement or appeal for the respect of the rule of law and the release of thousands of prisoners of conscience, or some of them, did not occur!

Some of the key meetings and workshops organized by the council included:

• Interactive workshops titled “Raising Awareness of Human Rights in Schools” in the Damietta governorate.
• A dialogue session aimed at empowering youth to play an active role in promoting a culture of respect for and protection of human rights on the ground, as well as helping vulnerable groups access and exercise their rights without discrimination, held at Helwan University.
• A workshop in collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights and representatives from the Kingdom of Morocco to discuss compliance standards for national institutions concerned with human rights according to the Paris Principles.
• On March 20, the council held a roundtable titled “The Role of Intellectual Elites and Opinion Leaders in Supporting and Enhancing the Human Rights Situation in Egypt,” in cooperation with the European Union Delegation.
• On March 23, the council, in partnership with the Egyptian Competition Protection Authority, organized a discussion session titled “Human Rights and Fair Competition Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Environment.”

The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights

• On March 4, 2025, the initiative issued a solidarity press statement regarding the case of Dr. Laila Sweif, the mother of political detainee Alaa Abdel Fattah, a human rights activist. The statement highlighted her continued hunger strike not including water and appealed to the President to use his legal authority to release Alaa after he had served his sentence in September of the previous year.
• On March 6, the initiative clarified that after two years and the completion of her sentence, lawyer Huda Abdel Moneim had not been released, and was recharged with the same charges in new cases. This situation is recurring with other members of the Egyptian Coordination for Human Rights and Freedoms, who also face prolonged periods of being denied visits, in addition to medical neglect.
• On March 12, the initiative condemned the Egyptian authorities for blocking the “Zawya Thaltha” website for the second time in less than a month, after the site had been blocked for the first time in February.

The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms

• On the occasion of Ramadan, the Egyptian Commission launched a campaign titled “Empty Seats at the Iftar Table” to raise awareness about prolonged pretrial detention, which violates the law.
• On March 5, the Commission released its special publication on “Freedom of Belief and Citizenship,” addressing the concerns and issues of minorities, with an emphasis on promoting a culture of tolerance, rejecting violence and hate speech, and activating the values of citizenship.
• On March 17, the Egyptian Commission published its report on “Military Trials and Counterterrorism Cases,” which examined the state’s tools for reducing political violence crimes in Egypt since 2013.

The Center for Trade Unions and Workers Services (CTUWS):

• 4 March 2025: CTUWS announced that Samanoud Spinning and Weaving Company management had again refused to pay the annual bonuses to workers and failed to implement the minimum wage law, despite its approval by the government. Worker Ahmed Salah Abdel-Maboud had been fired, and his dismissal was referred to the court, despite his compliance with the required drug test, which showed no drug use.
• 18 March: CTUWS held a discussion about the new Labor Law project, which was nearing completion in the House of Representatives. The discussion highlighted the lack of engagement with the law’s stakeholders and the failure to organize listening sessions for them.
• Additionally, CTUWS produced comparison videos outlining workers’ rights under the old law versus the new proposed law.

New Woman Foundation:

• This month, the New Woman Foundation released a report covering various issues related to women, including women and the economy, violence against women and girls, women in media, women’s human rights, women and the environment, and women in decision-making positions, along with national institutions and mechanisms.
• The Foundation also organized a virtual meeting titled “Thirty Years on the Beijing Platform: Reflections on the Effectiveness and Guarantees Provided by International Mechanisms for Women in the Region.”

Masar – Tech and Law Society:

• 10 March 2025: Masar published a legal paper discussing the Court of Cassation’s ruling on the principle of not imposing custodial sentences on journalists for crimes related to publication.
• 18 March: Masar also released a paper on the impact of digital advertising and marketing algorithms on the digital rights of internet users.

Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance (CEWLA)

Throughout March, CEWLA organized several meetings, workshops, and activities, including:

• Discussion Session: A session titled “National Protection Measures Against Violence Against Women” was held to address strategies for combating gender-based violence.
• Presidential Appeal: The foundation called on the President to exercise his authority to grant a presidential pardon for blogger Alaa Abdel-Fattah, especially after his mother Dr. Laila Suweif’s hunger strike, which had lasted over 150 days, leading to a deterioration in her health.
• Specialized Training: The foundation held a specialized training session for social workers, psychologists, and service providers working in civil society organizations across Upper Egypt to better support women facing violence.
• Consultative Meeting: A meeting was conducted to review, refine, and revise the completed materials of the unified law proposal to ensure the completion of its first draft soon.
• Discussion on Legislative Protection: In celebration of Egyptian Women’s Day, a discussion session was held titled “A More Protective Legislative Environment for Women”, within the framework of the project “Together to Combat Violence Against Women.”
• A follow-up meeting was conducted with psychologists and social workers from various initiatives and institutions working on combating violence against women.

The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights

• March 2, 2025: The center announced that the increase in judicial fees, approved by the President of the Cairo Court of Appeals, was causing an additional burden on litigants and lawyers, without legal justification, and was deemed unconstitutional.
• Throughout the month of Ramadan, the center launched a campaign titled “Ramadan Without Bars,” which included various profiles highlighting individuals imprisoned in pretrial detention for cases related to freedom of speech and expression.
• March 6, 2025: The Egyptian Center held a session to discuss the new Labor Law currently being debated in the Egyptian Parliament.
• March 22, 2025: The center’s lawyers filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor (Case No. 21625/2025), requesting an investigation into ongoing violations in the Ras Hankorab area.

Violations and Harassment:

Renewal of Detention

Legal and Court Proceedings:

• March 3, 2025: The Cairo Terrorism Court decided to extend the detention of policeman Abdel-Gawad Mohamed Abdel-Gawad El-Salhami for 45 days in case No. 717 of 2024, handled by the Supreme State Security Prosecution.
• March 12, 2025: The Cairo Terrorism Court renewed the detention of economist Abdel-Khaleq Farouk for another 45 days in case No. 4937 of 2024, handled by the Supreme State Security Prosecution. On March 20, the court extended his detention for another 45 days.
• March 18, 2025: The Cairo Terrorism Court renewed the detention of engineer Yehia Abdel-Hadi for 45 days, pending the investigation by the State Security Prosecution.
• March 25, 2025: The Cairo Terrorism Court decided to extend the detention of labor activist Shady Ali Mohamed and others for 45 days in case No. 1644 of 2024, pending investigation by the State Security Prosecution.

Court Rulings:

• March 20, 2025: The 15th Labor Court of the Court of Appeals in Benha overturned a lower court ruling regarding compensation for an employee working at a fast food restaurant, in a case concerning labor rights.
• The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights won several rulings this month, including one requiring the Labor Cultural Foundation and The Labor University to pay 55,000 EGP in compensation for unused leave days during the employee’s period of work.

Court Rulings and Legal Decisions:

1. March 6, 2025: The Compensation Circuit of South Giza Court postponed the lawsuit filed by the Egyptian Center against the legal representative of AstraZeneca and others. The center is seeking financial compensation for an Egyptian citizen harmed by the deadly side effects of the company’s vaccine. The case was rescheduled for April 10, 2025, to amend the company’s name.
2. March 12, 2025: The Mahalla Al Kubra Court, Labor Circuit dismissed the lawsuit filed by the Samanoud Spinning and Weaving Company to suspend the worker Ahmed Salah Abdel-Maboud for failure to appear in court on behalf of the company.

Victories and Releases:

• The East Alexandria Court accepted the appeal of Ahmed Abdel-Baqi Abu Shaishaa and ordered his release in the Administrative Court AlLaban ,case No. 41 of 2025, with a bail of 2,000 EGP.
• Shubra El-Kheima Criminal Court accepted the appeal of Sarag El-Din Ali Abdel-Mawla, who was held in preventive detention in case No. 10612 of 2024, Administrative Shubra Second, and ordered his release with a bail of 2,000 EGP.
• March 6, 2025: The State Security Prosecution ordered the release of three defendants in case No. 5919 of 2024, pending investigation by the State Security Prosecution.
• The State Security Prosecution also ordered the release of 55 defendants detained in 18 different cases, including cases that were referred for prosecution.
• March 9, 2025: The State Security Prosecution released 15 individuals from case No. 1516 of 2022, including the well-known content creator “Suzy Al-Urdiniya”, involved in case 925 of 2025, State Security.
• March 22, 2025: The 10th of Ramadan District Court ordered the release of 39 workers from the National Company for Protected Agriculture (greenhouses), with a 3,000 EGP bail for each, in case No. 484 of 2025, Criminal Court of 3rd District of 10th of Ramadan.