Sorour says new law supports journalists freedom
Egypt, Politics, 7/10/2006

The People's Assembly Sunday approved with a big majority the bill on publication related crimes in spite of the objection by representatives of the opposition, independents and the peaceful protest by journalists in front of the People's Assembly building.

People's Assembly Speaker Dr. Ahmed Fathi Sorour has reiterated his respect for the freedom of the press and journalists, saying he was against the closure of any paper. He said those who speak about the press freedom should have spoken about journalists salaries.


The People's Assembly agreed on revoking a number of provisions restricting freedom of opinion. Sorour said revoking is inevitable in line with the ruling of the Supreme Constitutional Court.

The parliament further agreed on revoking imprisonment punishment in some provisions on penalties and canceled a provision that permits the suspension of newspapers and revokes the right of the court to confiscate newspapers.

Sorour said there is no constitutional violation in not submitting the bill to the Higher Press Council. He said amendments are related to penal code. He said the parliament is currently considering a law which is complementary to the constitution, adding that the Shura Council gave its advice on this law, asserting that the People's Assembly is in no obligation to be assisted by the advice of the Higher Press Council.


Mofid Shehab, the Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils said the government was assisted by the opinion of the Journalists Syndicate before referring the bill to the People's Assembly.


He said the government submitted amendments of publication related crimes in line with Article No. 109 of the constitution adding the People's Assembly has the right to decide on these amendments.

He said the Constitution does not oblige the government to submit law amendments to the Higher Press Council. He said press regulation law gives this right to the higher Press Council while considering laws on the press.

He said amendments suggested are related to penal code and have nothing to do with the press law adding that the government was assisted by the opinion of the Journalists Syndicate. The members had asked for cutting down fines to range from LE 500 to LE10,000.


They called for revoking all items restricting press freedom and to delete all texts which punish a journalist with imprisonment and replacing them by fines which should conform with the journalists income.


Members warned of imprisonment of journalists for criticizing heads of foreign states. Minister of Justice Mahmoud Abul Lail said the law punishes journalists for insulting heads of state adding that policies criticism is not incriminated.

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