Constitution Signals Step Away from Democracy in Egypt

President Mohamed Morsi’s seizure of executive and legislative power in Egypt was reinforced today when the constituent assembly rushed through the approval of a draft constitution that lacks fundamental democratic principles. Freedom House condemns the actions of President Morsi and the constituent assembly and calls for a return to a more democratic and inclusive process.

The document, which is scheduled to be put to a referendum in just two weeks, lacks adequate civilian oversight of the military, proper protections for freedom of belief, women’s rights, minority rights and other basic civil liberties. Today’s action is the culmination of a flawed drafting process.  The constituent assembly was unrepresentative, accentuated in recent days by the walkout of nearly all its non-Islamist members, and the drafting process lacked transparency.  Last week, President Morsi issued a decree granting him unrestricted executive and legislative power and immunizing both him and the constituent assembly from any legal challenge.

“Rather than build a national consensus on Egypt’s new institutions, the constitution drafting process has alienated important segments of Egyptian society, and the rushed nature of the referendum is making matters worse,” said David J. Kramer, president of Freedom House.  “This unfortunate process is a serious setback for Egypt’s democratic transition.”

Egypt’s judges have announced their rejection of the process and the resulting draft and have refused to monitor the referendum.  Moreover, demonstrations opposing Morsi’s decree and the draft constitution have sparked fears of further clashes between the president’s supporters and opponents.

“The United States and the international community must speak out in support of the basic principles of democracy and rule of law by urging President Morsi to relinquish his extraordinary powers and put in place mechanisms that will allow all political forces to engage in redrafting Egypt's post-revolution constitution,” continued Kramer.

For more information, visit:

Freedom in the World 2012: Egypt

Freedom of the Press 2012: Egypt

Countries at the Crossroads 2012: Egypt

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