Conference for Egyptian opposition demanding fundamental reform
Egypt, Politics, 12/17/2003

The Egyptian opposition parties are convening a gathering on December 24th demanding fundamental political reform.

The spokesman for the committee in charge of defense for democracy, Hussein Abdul Razzaq, said that the conference was presumed was supposed to be held in October, in front of Abidin palace in the downtown of Cairo, with the participation of the opposition parties and the human rights defense organizations, but the authorities prevented it for security reasons.

He added it was decided instead of that to convene the conference in "Meedan al-Tahrir." in the downtown of Cairo. and a delegation of ten members will head to submit a patition to the Egyptian authorities on demands of the opposition.

In the patition, the opposition which it had signed in addition to non- governmental organizations and 1000 public figures, demand constitutional reforms that limit the duration of presidency to two terms of office only.

It also demands that the president of the republic to be elected by direct vote, rather than a referendum on one person. The opposition also called for stopping work with the enforced emergency law, enacted in Egypt since 1981, and to abrogate restrictions imposed on the formation of political parties and the freedom of the press.

The conference is organized by the parties of the coalition, the Naserite, and al-Wafd, and six non- governmental organizations including the human rights Egyptian organization.

The convening of the conference came after the ruling national party in Egypt launched a national dialogue with the opposition parties on political reforms. The government excluded from this dialogue the Ikhwan al-Muslimin (Muslim Brothers) group, in being legally banned.

Previous Stories:
  Hudeibi calls for a comprehensive political reform in Egypt   (11/10/2003)
  Egypt's government talks with opposition exclude Muslim Brothers   (10/24/2003)
  Amending the constitution, halting emergency laws, calls for comprehensive reforms in Egypt   (5/16/2003)

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