Political Reform

The Half-Full Cup of Egypt’s New Constitution

By Tamer Nagy Mahmoud

Within days, Egyptians are going to vote in a public referendum on an amended proposed constitution, the nation’s second in two years. The proposed document includes a number of significant improvements as compared to the now-suspended 2012 constitution. 

The Quest for Minority Rights in Egypt

By Jayson Casper

Coptic Christians have reason to celebrate… alone. While they and many others rejoice at the removal of the overall Islamist tinge of the 2012 constitution, this largely liberal-produced draft leaves other religious minorities out in the cold. 

The New Draft Constitution Part II: The Committee’s Work from Within

By Yussef Auf

As Egypt’s constitution writing process has come to an end, and the country is once again gearing up to go to the polls in mid-January in a nationwide referendum, it is worth noting the process that resulted in the drafting of a new constitution, before considering the text itself. The Committee of 50’s performance, as […]

Sahar Aziz Speaks to EgyptSource about Egypt’s New Draft Constitution [Video]

By EgyptSource

In a series of short videos, Dr. Sahar Aziz, Associate Professor at Texas A&M  University School of Law, spoke to EgyptSource about Egypt’s new draft constitution. Aziz highlights key negative and positive changes in the 2013 draft constitution, as well as commenting on the ramifications of an interim government issuing legislation in light of the […]

Nathan Brown Speaks to EgyptSource about Egypt’s New Draft Constitution [Video]

By EgyptSource

In a series of short videos, Dr. Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University spoke to EgyptSource about Egypt’s new draft constitution. Dr. Brown highlights how the 2013 draft constitution differs from its predecessor, comments on the role of state instutions and the judiciary in the draft, and finally […]

Egypt’s New Constitution: Fulfilling the Revolution’s Goals?

On December 11, 2013, the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted a discussion of Egypt’s draft constitution with Nathan Brown of George Washington University and Sahar Aziz of Texas A&M University School of Law. The Hariri Center’s Deputy Director for Regional Programs Mirette F. Mabrouk moderated the discussion.

Key Questions on Egypt’s Upcoming Constitutional Referendum

As Egypt prepares to go to a constitutional referendum in January, details have begun to emerge on party positions on the constitution, security measures for the referendum, and who will be monitoring in Egypt’s polling stations. With the final draft of the constitution submitted to interim president Adly Mansour, he has 30 days to call […]

The Aspirations of Egypt’s Forgotten Atheists and Shiites

By Fady Salah

The new amendments in Egypt’s 2012 controversial constitution succeeded in satisfying the Nubian and Amazigh minorities living in Egypt. Nubian novelist Haggag Oddoul, who represented Nubians in the fifty-member assembly amending the constitution and Amany El-Wesahy, the head of Egypt’s Amazigh community told EgyptSource the new constitution emphasizes Egypt’s cultural diversity and protects the rights […]

The ‘New’ Draft Constitution Part I: A Flawed Beginning

By Yussef Auf

As the fifty-member committee tasked with amending the suspended 2012 Constitution has finished its work, criticism of the committee, its formation and its amended text have continued. Undoubtedly, the most significant criticism of the committee is the fact that it was appointed by the July 3 authority responsible of theouster of former president Mohamed Morsi. […]