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

Section One: Political Parties

Introduction:

• The preparations of Egyptian political parties, whether those close to the authorities or in opposition, for the upcoming parliamentary elections are taking place amid uncertainty regarding the electoral system adopted by parliament. Pro-government parties insist on a closed-list system, while opposition parties are seeking to expand political participation, open up the public sphere, and are demanding a proportional representation system for the elections.

Key activities and events of the parties during the month of April:

Homeland Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan):

• During April, the Homeland Future Party focused on organizing its ranks and discussing its new strategy in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections, especially following the emergence of the National Front Party, which also supports the government and the president. The party also maintained its traditional charitable activities, continued supporting government decisions, and helped pass laws proposed by parliament.
• The party’s local office launched two initiatives titled “Clean City” and “Let It Shine” in Sohag Governorate, and organized a medical convoy dedicated to children in Marsa Matrouh Governorate.
• Additionally, the party participated in the protests held in North Sinai Governorate in rejection of the displacement of Palestinians, which coincided with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the city of Arish, accompanied by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Homeland Protectors Party (Humat el Watan):

The Homeland Protectors Party continued its developmental and charitable activities, as well as its support for the government, while also preparing for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

• On April 7, MP Meral El-Haridi, a member of the House of Representatives for the party and a member of the Defense and National Security Committee, submitted an inquiry to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Communications regarding the widespread proliferation of online gambling and betting platforms in Egypt recently.
• The party also organized a fair for affordable bridal supplies in Assiut Governorate, and study support centers in Minya Governorate.
• On April 22, the party’s branch in Menoufia Governorate held an educational seminar titled “Sinai: Between Power and Greed,” aimed at developing the skills of the party’s cadres.

National Front Party (Al Gabha Al Wataneyya):

• Throughout April, the National Front Party focused on organizing its ranks in preparation for the upcoming elections. It also participated in organizing public events supporting President El-Sisi’s position rejecting the displacement of Palestinians.

Al-Nour Salafist Party:

• This month witnessed the convening of the party’s General Assembly and the continuation of its support for the Palestinian cause through political statements. The party also participated in mediation efforts between the tribes of Marsa Matrouh and security forces, after the tribes had announced a complete halt in dealings with the authorities following the killing of two young men from the city by the police, despite the fact that they had voluntarily surrendered.
• On April 19, the party held its General Assembly, where the Supreme Committee’s report on the past period and future directions was presented, along with a review of the party’s situation across the governorates. Mohammed Ibrahim Mansour was re-elected as the party’s chairman.

The Justice Party (El Adl):

• MP Zeinab El-Selaimy, a party member in the House of Representatives, submitted an inquiry to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education regarding the death of the director of the Bajour Educational Administration in Menoufia Governorate after being subjected to mistreatment by the Minister of Education.
• On April 19, the party’s president announced El-Adl’s support for a proportional list system for the upcoming parliamentary elections, emphasizing that this system is the one that guarantees political representation for all parties.

The Conservatives Party (Al Mohafezeen):

During April, the Conservative Party continued its activities supporting the Palestinian cause and remained active within the Civil Movement.

• On April 11, the party issued a statement condemning the government’s decision to raise fuel prices, noting that the decision came at a time when citizens are suffering from severe economic pressures. The statement highlighted the ongoing deterioration in living standards and the diminishing purchasing power of large segments of society, especially the working and lower-income classes.
• On April 12, the party released a statement expressing solidarity with the residents of Al-Warraq Island, firmly rejecting the use of violence and calling for the dignity and constitutional rights of Egyptian citizens to be a top priority.
• On April 13, the party issued another statement denouncing recent discussions about the possibility of imposing fees on doctors wishing to work abroad or restricting their movement, considering such measures a violation of the Egyptian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement and employment.
• The party also announced its total rejection of the final account of the state’s general budget for the fiscal year 2023/2024, criticizing it for clear bias against the principles of social justice and for lacking proper planning and necessary transparency.
• Furthermore, the party rejected the referral of building violations cases to military courts, stressing that this move violates Article 97 of the Constitution.
• On April 20, the party’s leader, Akmal Koraitem, was elected as the new Chairman of the Civil Movement’s Board of Trustees.

The Constitution Party (Al Dostour):

Al-Dostour Party engaged actively with political developments, voicing support for the Palestinian cause and rejecting the government’s economic policies, which the party believes harm the poor in Egypt. It also continued preparing for the upcoming parliamentary elections in coordination with other parties from the Civil Democratic Movement.

• The party rejected the government’s decision to raise fuel prices and condemned the violence in Al-Nagila, Marsa Matrouh, which involved the killing of three police sergeants, as well as the deaths of two young men, Youssef Eid Fadl Al-Sarhani and Farag Rabash Al-Fazari, in Marsa Matrouh.
• On April 12, the party issued a statement condemning the security forces’ handling of the evacuation attempt of the residents of Al-Warraq Island.

The Egyptian Democratic Social Party:

The Egyptian Social Democratic Party utilized its parliamentary bloc to oppose the government’s economic policies through various parliamentary tools. The party was keen on publicly declaring its political positions on both regional and national issues, particularly the Palestinian cause. On an organizational level, it is actively preparing to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections.

• On April 11, Maha Abdel Nasser, MP and Deputy Head of the Party, submitted an inquiry addressed to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Minister of Local Development regarding what she described as the “disgraceful and shameful incidents” that occurred on the first day of the trial operation of the Giza Plateau Development Project.
• An inquiry was submitted to the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Public Enterprise Sector and Labor regarding what was described as serious violations and breaches committed by the Board of Directors of the Workers’ Shareholders Union at the Eastern Company “Eastern Company (Eastern Tobacco).”
• An inquiry was submitted to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Petroleum regarding the government’s decision to raise petroleum product prices.

Civil Democratic Movement:

The Civil Democratic Movement established a Youth Secretariat to enhance its political activity and effectiveness. It also actively engaged with political and economic issues affecting citizens and showed solidarity with the increasing wave of social protests.

• On April 5, the movement issued a statement announcing the launch of the Youth Secretariat of the Civil Democratic Movement, aimed at expanding the participation base in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
• The movement condemned the use of force by security forces against the residents of Al-Warraq Island and rejected the recent increase in fuel prices.
• On April 20, the movement held a meeting of its General Secretariat, during which it discussed the development of its organizational structure, membership conditions for the Youth Secretariat, and preparations for the parliamentary elections, reaffirming its stance against cooperation with pro-government parties.

The Current of Hope Party (Tayyar Al Amal) (under formation):

The activity of the Current of Hope Party remained weak due to numerous organizational problems, security crackdowns on many of its members, and the continued imprisonment of its leader.

• On April 14, the party issued an official statement condemning the events in Marsa Matrouh, where five citizens lost their lives. The statement referenced shocking testimonies from the Union of Sheikhs and Tribes of Marsa Matrouh, denouncing police practices, including the illegal detention of over 20 women as hostages to pressure the surrender of a fugitive — a violation of religious principles, law, custom, and the Constitution.

The Popular Socialist Alliance Party:

The Popular Socialist Alliance Party focused its activities on supporting citizens’ economic rights and participated in solidarity events for the Palestinian resistance in Gaza.

• The party organized a discussion session on the Palestinian cause, attended by party leaders and a large number of youth from political movements, as part of global solidarity activities with the Palestinian people.
• It also rejected the government’s decision to raise fuel prices, holding the government responsible for the economic failures caused by its policies.
• On April 19, the party issued a statement calling for the opening of the public sphere and improving the conditions for competition in the upcoming elections. The party also demanded the release of prisoners of conscience, an end to security practices, and the finalization of the Local Administration Law.
• On April 23, the party organized a seminar titled “The Impact of Economic Changes on Prices, Wages, and Pensions,” attended by party leaders, members from Civil Front parties, and several youth activists.

The Revolutionary Socialists Movement:

• The movement continued its political course of supporting the growing social and economic protests. It supported the lawyers’ protests against the increase in litigation fees and condemned the violence used by security forces against citizens on Al-Warraq Island and in Marsa Matrouh. The movement also maintained its strong support for the Palestinian resistance, posting daily updates about the Palestinian cause on its social media pages.

Section 2: Professional and Labor Unions

Professional Unions:

The Lawyers’ Syndicate

• Lawyers went on strike by withholding any financial payments to the treasuries of the courts of appeal for three days, after organizing sit-ins at the premises of primary courts in protest against the increase in judicial fees under the label of “automated services,” a decision made by the Cairo Court of Appeal to take effect starting from last March.
• Dozens of lawyers also organized a sit-in in front of the General Syndicate in solidarity with Gaza, in support of the resistance, and in rejection of normalization.

The Doctors’ Syndicate

• The Doctors’ Syndicate expressed its deep dismay at the proposals discussed on a television program suggesting the prevention of doctors from traveling abroad or requiring the payment of an “education bill” as a tool to limit their migration. The Syndicate stressed that these proposals are unconstitutional, impractical, and do not represent a real solution to the problem.
• In a statement, the Syndicate emphasized that attempting to address the doctors’ migration crisis by imposing restrictions on their personal freedoms deliberately ignores the fundamental reasons that drive doctors to emigrate.
• The administration of Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital decided to suspend eight intern doctors (Batch 193, Kasr Al-Ainy) from working at Cairo University hospitals due to their posts on social media criticizing the working conditions of intern doctors.

The Veterinarians’ Syndicate

• Ahmed Al-Bendari, Head of the Scientific Center of the Veterinarians’ Syndicate, affirmed that proper handling of dogs is a responsibility that does not fall on a single entity but requires cooperation between the syndicate and dog owners.
• Social media platforms and animal welfare organizations launched a wide-scale attack against the doctor after accusing him of injecting a dog with an air syringe, which led to its death.

The Dental Syndicate

The Dentists’ Syndicate stated that the number of dentists has reached approximately 109,000, and it is expected that the number of dentists will exceed 200,000 by the year 2030.

Union of Medical Professions Syndicates

The General Secretariat of the Union of Medical Professions Syndicates announced the launch of a new application for medical approvals for members enrolled in the treatment project for members and their families. The new app aims to eliminate the problems of treatment referrals previously handled through WhatsApp and is characterized by ease of use, quick response, and the ability to track the request until the member obtains medical approval.

Pharmacists’ Syndicate

Towards a healthier society… A new protocol was signed between the Alexandria Pharmacists’ Syndicate and Smouha Club in collaboration with the “Life Without Diabetes and Obesity” initiative.

The Journalists’ Syndicate

• The Head of the Journalists’ Syndicate, Khaled El-Balshi, intervened as a supporter in a lawsuit filed by several female journalists against the decision of the Head of the National Social Insurance Authority to stop their entitled pensions, on the grounds that it is not permissible to combine this pension with membership in the working journalists’ list of the Syndicate. He submitted a memorandum announcing his support for the argument presented by the lawyers of the colleagues, asserting the unconstitutionality of the decision. The Third Chamber of Individuals in the Administrative Court decided to reserve the case for judgment in the session on May 25, 2025.
• Dozens of protesters gathered on the stairs of the Journalists’ Syndicate in solidarity with Palestine, rejecting displacement or the disarmament of resistance.
• The committee overseeing the elections of the Journalists’ Syndicate set guidelines to organize the election process and provided instructions for voters. The elections will take place on May 2, 2025

Trade Unions:

Part Two: Labor Unions

The General Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions:

• The General Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Council for Human Rights aimed at:
  • Supporting the economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights of workers.
  • Promoting a culture of human rights in the workplace, in line with relevant national and international standards.
• The federation has launched a plan to establish an African-Arab Labor Alliance to:
  • Unite the efforts of labor unions across the region.
  • Strengthen their role in labor issues.
  • Create a strong union network.

The General Union of Agricultural Workers:

• The 10th of Ramadan Court decided to release 39 workers from the National Company for Protected Agriculture on a bail of 3,000 EGP each, after they were charged under case No. 484 of 2025 with “disrupting production, assembly, and resisting authorities” following their March 4th sit-in demanding Ramadan-related financial benefits.

The Solidarity of Trade Unions Federation (STUF) (Under Formation):

• Called on Eric Oechslin, Director of the International Labour Organization’s Cairo office, to review his support for the approval of the new labor law currently in Parliament and to seriously consider the objections and comments raised by civil society organizations and independent unions to ensure national legislation aligns with international conventions Egypt has signed.

The Committee for the Defense of Trade Union Freedoms and Labor Rights:

• The committee held its weekly meeting, attended by representatives of labor unions, labor offices of political parties, and labor rights activists. Key outcomes included strong criticism of the rushed approval of the new labor law without adequate social dialogue or consultation with labor representatives.
• Committee members participated in a protest in front of the Journalists’ Syndicate against the genocide in Gaza, the blockade, and the forced displacement of Palestinians.

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

The CTUWS organized the sixth training session of its specialized training program, aimed at developing the confrontation skills of trade union leaders and enhancing their capacity to respond effectively to the ongoing changes in the world of work.

The General Union of Spinning and Weaving Workers:

Workers at Samannoud Textiles Company halted work for about half an hour to demand the remaining portion of their March wages, of which they had only received 80% and without the periodic raise. The company chairman responded with verbal abuse, arbitrary wage deductions, threats of imprisonment and dismissal, and the forced detention of workers beyond official working hours.

The General Union of Land Transport Workers:

• Ashraf Al-Dokar, the president of the union, expressed great pride in the participation of several Arab and international trade union figures in the opening ceremony of the union’s new headquarters in Nasr City.
  He announced that the General Union of Land Transport Workers currently has around 1.2 million members and aims to recruit approximately 500,000 new members by the end of 2025, raising total membership to over 1.7 million. This growth reflects the workers’ confidence in the union and its services.

The General Union of Food Industries Workers

• The General Assembly of the Workers’ Shareholders’ Union in the Eastern Company for Tobacco once again rejected the acquisition offer from EFG Hermes for full ownership of the union’s shares, citing the low proposed price. The judicial committee supervising the vote announced that 1,707 members voted in favor of the deal, while 1,614 members opposed it, out of a total of 3,321 valid votes — a percentage of approval that fell below the required 75%.

Section Three: Human Rights Movements and Institutions

Key Activities, Publications, and Initiatives of Human Rights Institutions

The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR):

• On April 17, the Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the General Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions to support workers’ economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights, and to promote a culture of human rights in the workplace.
• On April 22, in collaboration with the National Elections Authority, the Council launched the first event of a program aimed at promoting political participation, raising electoral awareness among citizens, and enhancing the role of civil society organizations in monitoring elections.
• On April 23, the Council organized a field visit to North Sinai Governorate to monitor the ongoing preparations for the second phase of implementing the comprehensive health insurance system in the governorate.

 

The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR):

• On April 7, 2025, EIPR submitted an official complaint to the Public Prosecutor demanding the release of two minors who had been held in pretrial detention for over a year over their support for Palestine.
• On April 9, EIPR called on both the Public Prosecutor and the Minister of Interior to urgently address three complaints filed by the wife of Dr. Abdel Khaleq Farouk regarding the poor health conditions of his prison cell.
• On April 10, Amnesty International and EIPR issued a joint statement urging the Egyptian authorities to halt all procedures for the forcible return of a Syrian asylum seeker facing deportation to Syria, and to end their ongoing crackdown on followers of the Peace and Ahmadi Light faith.
• On April 15, EIPR released a statement highlighting the ongoing crisis in Egypt’s healthcare sector, reporting the resignation of 117 doctors from Alexandria University Hospitals and the Medical Research Institute — a development reminiscent of the mass exodus during the COVID-19 crisis.
• On April 17, EIPR called on the Public Prosecutor and Minister of Justice to exercise their powers under Articles 64 and 65 of the Criminal Procedure Code to appoint an investigating judge to look into the complaint filed by the families of two young Egyptian men, Youssef Al-Sarhani and Farag Al-Fazzari, whom the Ministry of Interior announced had been killed in an operation in Al-Nagila, Marsa Matrouh. The families consider the killings to be acts of deliberate murder.

The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF):

• The ECRF published its report on “Freedom of Belief and Citizenship,” highlighting the concerns and issues faced by minorities, advocating for a culture of tolerance, rejection of violence and hate speech, and the promotion of citizenship values.
• On April 13, the ECRF expressed deep concern and strongly condemned the repeated assaults against the residents of Al-Warraq Island, particularly the escalation that occurred on Saturday evening, April 12, 2025, documenting a new and serious violation by police forces against the inhabitants.
• On April 21, the ECRF issued a research paper discussing the legal, social, and economic issues associated with the old rent system.
• On April 24, the ECRF called on the relevant authorities to urgently and transparently investigate the death of Mahmoud Mohamed Mahmoud Asaad, known as “Mahmoud Mika,” who died while in custody on April 10, 2025, at the Khalifa Police Station in Cairo. His family revealed signs of physical assault and torture on his body during the preparation for his burial.

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

• On April 7, 2025, CTUWS, in collaboration with the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, renewed its call for a societal dialogue on the draft new Labor Law, in light of a joint statement issued for this purpose.
• On April 13, CTUWS organized the sixth training session of its specialized training program, focusing on enhancing the confrontation tools of trade union leaders and strengthening their ability to adapt to ongoing changes in the world of work.
• On April 16, CTUWS announced that the House of Representatives had finally approved the new Labor Law after the government introduced amendments to a large number of its articles — without holding public hearings or engaging in genuine consultations with workers’ representatives or independent unions.

The New Woman Foundation:

• On April 9, 2025, the foundation held a conference titled: “Women’s Economic Rights Between the Beijing Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Agenda.”
• On April 14, the foundation issued an analytical paper titled: “A Feminist Reading of the Draft Unified Law on Combating Violence Against Women.”
• On April 23, the New Woman Foundation announced that the Supreme Constitutional Court had issued a ruling granting fathers the right to custody housing after the children have exceeded the legal custody age.

Masar – Community for Technology and Law:

During April, Masar issued several research and legal papers:

• On April 7, a research paper on “Digital Technology and Education in Egypt: Development Aspirations Versus the Constraints of Reality.”
• On April 15, a paper titled: “The Right to Privacy in the Age of Financial Technology: An Analysis of the Egyptian Legal Framework and Application Challenges.”

Center for Egyptian Women LegalAssistance (CEWLA):

• On April 6, the CEWLA announced its participation in a one-day strike and suspension of work in solidarity with the people of Gaza and in response to the call of humanitarian conscience.
• On April 17, the CEWLA held an awareness seminar on reproductive and sexual health, focusing on the issue of early marriage and its consequences, targeting 30 women from the Bulaq Al-Dakrour area.
• On April 22, the CEWLA, in cooperation with the “Future Leaders Association” in Al-Saff, Giza, organized a series of awareness seminars on “Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Family Planning and Birth Spacing, and Child Marriage.”
• On April 23, the CEWLA concluded its meetings within a series of discussions on building a more protective and safer legislative environment for women, a project funded by the British Embassy in Cairo.
• On April 24, in collaboration with the Local Community Development Association in Kom Ashfeen, the CEWLA organized four awareness seminars on reproductive and sexual health issues.

The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR):

• On April 7, 2025, on the occasion of World Health Day, ECESR published recommendations for a fair and inclusive healthcare system, emphasizing the need for serious commitment by relevant authorities to ensure the provision of comprehensive and equitable healthcare services for all citizens.
• On April 10, ECESR filed a legal appeal before the Administrative Court demanding the annulment of a decision issued by the President of the Cairo Court of Appeals to increase the service fees charged by the court.
• On April 17, ECESR announced that several lawyers and citizens had officially sent telegrams to the Cabinet of Ministers, demanding that Easter be recognized as an official public holiday with paid leave for all Egyptian citizens, in line with the principle of equality in recognizing religious occasions.

Joint Human Rights Activities:

• On April 9, 2025, human rights organizations expressed deep concern and called for urgent intervention to end the arbitrary detention of the well-known poet and democracy advocate, Abdel Rahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi, who was forcibly deported to the United Arab Emirates on January 8, 2025, and has since been subjected to enforced disappearance.
• On April 19, human rights organizations, alongside the families of Marsa Matrouh Governorate, condemned incidents of extrajudicial killings that occurred during a police chase of an individual wanted by the authorities.

Violations and Harassment:

. Renewal of Detention

• On April 7, the Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to renew the detention of activist Marwa Sami Abu Zeid Abdo for 15 days pending investigations in case no. 7887 of 2024 (Supreme State Security case register).
• On April 10, the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court decided to renew the detention of Sherif El-Rouby electronically (without his appearance in court) for the second time, and renewed the detention of nine others for 45 days in different cases.
• The Terrorism Court renewed the detention of journalist Mohamed Saad Khattab and two others for 45 days in separate cases.
• On April 15, the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court renewed the detention of journalist and cartoonist Ashraf Omar, Dr. Abdel Khaleq Farouk, and five others for 45 days.
• On April 22, the Cairo Terrorism Criminal Court renewed the detention of Ahmed Hamdy El-Sayed Suleiman (known as “Ahmed Gika”) and journalist Khaled Mamdouh for 45 days in two separate cases under State Security Prosecution.
  The court also renewed the detention of journalist Sayed Saber Sayed Salem and retired manager Nourhan El-Sayed Ahmed Draz for 45 days. Moreover, the court renewed the detention of writer Haitham Dabbour and seven others pending different cases for a 45-day period.

Judicial Rulings:

• On March 27, 2025, the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms obtained three court rulings granting their clients the right to receive a “sensor” device for measuring blood sugar levels for their children at the state’s expense.
• On April 7, the Cairo Court of Appeals upheld a compensation ruling in favor of a worker represented by the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights against “Misr Exchange,” awarding him over 350,000 Egyptian pounds for wrongful dismissal.
• On April 14, the Cairo Court of Appeals upheld a new ruling obligating “Ro’ya News” to compensate a client of the Egyptian Center with 178,000 Egyptian pounds for unfair dismissal.
• On April 15, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights obtained a ruling from the Alexandria Court of Appeals awarding financial compensation of 200,000 Egyptian pounds to its client, a resident of Wadi Al-Qamar, for damages caused by the activities of Alexandria Portland Cement Company (Titan Cement).

Trials:

• On April 9, 2025, the Administrative Court reserved judgment in the appeals filed by female journalists against the decision of the head of the National Organization for Social Insurance to suspend their entitled pensions — on the grounds that combining a pension with active membership in the Journalists’ Syndicate was not permissible — setting May 25 for the verdict.
• On April 14, the Cairo Court of Appeals reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Issam El-Din Helmy against Al-Arabi newspaper and the Social Insurance Authority, setting May 11, 2025, for the verdict.