Demonstration in Cairo calling for political reform
Egypt, Politics, 12/25/2003

Some 100 members of the leaderships of the Egyptian opposition parties and civil society organizations gathered in al-Tahrir square in Cairo demanding the introduction of comprehensive political reforms.

The demonstration was attended by the Naserite party, the leftist coalition party, the liberal al-Wafd party, the Workers Party, the banned Egyptian Communist party, in addition to 20 organizations and human rights centers, including the Egyptian human rights society.

The demonstrators chanted slogans calling for more democracy and rejecting the increase in commodity prices, and hoisted banners calling for the implementation of political reforms, increasing salaries, and improving the national economy.

Two opposition members headed to the headquarters of the People's Assembly (the parliament), and to Abideen presidential palace in the downtown of the city, to hand over a petition to the authorities demanding an amendment for the constitution, especially through defining the term of office for the president in two successive terms of office, and electing him through direct voting together with several candidates, rather than through a referendum for one candidate. The petition also called for lifting the state of emergency imposed since 1981, and abrogating restrictions imposed on the formation of political parties, and the freedom of the press.

The petition was signed by opposition parties, non- governmental organizations, and some 1000 public figures.

The Egyptian authorities banned a previous gathering that was to be held in October, at the initiative of the committee in charge of democracy, which includes the secular and liberal opposition, and organizations defending human rights.

Egypt is witnessing economic difficulties, and an increase in prices, since the authorities decided on January 28th, 2002 to float the value of the Egyptian pound which caused its devaluation against the US dollar.

The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, 75 years old, who has been in power in Egypt since 1981, will end his 6-year fourth term of office on October, 2005.

Previous Stories:
  Workshop in Egypt on human rights in the Gulf states   (12/20/2003)
  Conference for Egyptian opposition demanding fundamental reform   (12/17/2003)
  Muslim brothers members detained in Egypt   (12/12/2003)
  Egypt: al-Wafd boycotts complementary legislative elections   (12/1/2003)

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