Egyptian expatriates began voting Wednesday, December 12, in a referendum on the country\u2019s new constitution.
Voting on the referendum at home will be held over two days, December 15 and December 22.
The new document has triggered a deep political crisis in Egypt, with opponents saying the new constitution does not properly represent the aspirations of the whole nation, while supporters say it is a step forward to build the state institutions.<\/p>\n
CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE<\/strong> Our Constitution, the document of the 25th of January revolution, which was started by our youth, embraced by our people, supported by our Armed Forces; One \u2013<\/strong> Two \u2013<\/strong> Three \u2013<\/strong> Four \u2013<\/strong> Five \u2013<\/strong> Six \u2013<\/strong> Seven \u2013<\/strong> Eight \u2013<\/strong> Nine \u2013<\/strong> Ten \u2013<\/strong> Eleven \u2013<\/strong> We, the people of Egypt, PART I: STATE AND SOCIETY<\/p>\n Chapter One: Political principles<\/p>\n Article 1<\/strong> Article 2 Article 3 Article 4 Article 5 Article 6 Article <\/strong>7<\/p>\n Defense of the motherland and its soil is a sacred duty, and conscription is obligatory in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n Chapter Two: Social and ethical principles<\/p>\n Article 8 Article 9 Article 10 Article 11 Article 12 Article 13 Chapter Three: Economic Principles<\/p>\n Article 14<\/strong> Article 15<\/strong> Article 16<\/strong> Article 17<\/strong> Article 18<\/strong> Article 19<\/strong> Article 20<\/strong> Article 21<\/strong> Article 22<\/strong> Article 23<\/strong><\/p>\n The State shall support cooperatives in all forms and ensure their independence.<\/p>\n Article 24 Article 25 Article 26 Article 27 Article 28 Article 29 Article 30 PART II: RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS<\/strong><\/p>\n Chapter One: Personal rights<\/p>\n Article 31<\/strong> Article 32<\/strong> Article 33<\/strong> Article 34<\/strong> Article 35<\/strong> Article 36<\/strong> Article 37<\/strong> Article 38<\/strong> Article 39<\/strong> Article 40<\/strong> Article 41<\/strong> Article 42<\/strong> After reading Egypt\u2019s new constitution, would you vote \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d on the new document?<\/p>\n Source: OnIslam<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Egyptian expatriates began voting Wednesday, December 12, in a referendum on the country\u2019s new constitution.Voting on the referendum at home will be held over two days, December 15 and December 22.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
We, the people of Egypt,
In the name of the merciful God and with his aid, declare this to be<\/p>\n
Having rejected, in Tahrir Square and all over the country all forms of injustice, oppression, tyranny, despotism, exclusion, plunder and monopoly;
Proclaimed our full rights to \u201cbread, freedom, social justice, and human dignity,\u201d paid for by the blood of our martyrs, the pain of our injured, the dreams of our children, the strife of our men and women;
Recovered the spirit of our great civilization and our luminous history, for on the banks of the timeless Nile we established the oldest state that has always known the meaning of citizenship and equality, gave humanity the first alphabet, opened the way to monotheism and the knowledge of the Creator, embraced God\u2019s prophets and messages, and adorned the pages of history with parades of creativity;
And in continuation of our virtuous revolution which has unified all Egyptians on the path of building a modern democratic state, we declare our adherence to the following principles:<\/p>\n
The people are the source of all authorities. Authorities are instituted by and derive their legitimacy from the people, and are subject to the people\u2019s will. The responsibilities and competencies of authorities are a duty to bear, not a privilege or a source of immunity.<\/p>\n
A democratic system of government, establishing the grounds for peaceful transfer of power, supporting political pluralism, ensuring fair elections and the people\u2019s contribution in the decision-making process.<\/p>\n
The individual\u2019s dignity is an extension of the nation\u2019s dignity. Further, there is no dignity for a country in which women are not honored; women are the sisters of men and partners in all national gains and responsibilities.<\/p>\n
Freedom is a right: freedom of thought, expression and creativity; freedom in housing, property and travel; its principles laid down by the Creator in the motion of the universe and human nature.<\/p>\n
Equality and equal opportunities are established for all citizens, men and women, without discrimination or nepotism or preferential treatment, in both rights and duties.<\/p>\n
The rule of law is the basis of the individual\u2019s freedom, the legitimacy of authority, and the state\u2019s respect of the law. No power shall override that of righteousness, and the judiciary shall be independent, bearer of the honorable mission of defending the Constitution, upholding justice, and preserving rights and freedoms.<\/p>\n
Upholding national unity is an obligation, and the cornerstone of building a modern Egypt and the path to progress and development. To that end, the values of tolerance and moderation shall be spread, and the rights and freedoms of all citizens shall be protected without discrimination.<\/p>\n
Defending the nation is a duty and an honor. Our Armed Forces form a professional and neutral national institution that does not interfere in political affairs. It is the protective shield of the country.<\/p>\n
Security is a great blessing; it falls on the shoulders of a police force which works in the service of the people, for their protection and to enforce the measures of justice. For there can be no justice without protection, and no protection without security institutions that respect the rule of law and human dignity.<\/p>\n
Unity is the hope of the Arab nation; it is history\u2019s call, the future\u2019s bid, and destiny\u2019s demand. Such unity is to be reinforced through the integration and fraternity with countries of the Nile Valley and of the Muslim world, both a natural extension borne out of the distinctiveness of Egypt\u2019s position on the global map.<\/p>\n
Egypt\u2019s pioneering intellectual and cultural leadership is an embodiment of its soft power, and a model of the free generosity of original creators and thinkers, universities, science centers, linguistic and research centers, the press, the arts, literature and mass media, the national church, and Al-Azhar with its history as a mainstay of national identity, the Arabic language and Islamic Sharia, and as a beacon for moderate enlightened thought.<\/p>\n
Out of faith in God and His heavenly messages,
In recognition of the right of the country and the nation,
With awareness of our responsibilities toward the nation and humanity,
Pledge to stay committed to the principles laid out in this Constitution, which we accept and grant to ourselves, affirming our determination to uphold and defend it, and asserting that it shall be protected and respected by the State\u2019s authorities and the general public.<\/p>\n
The Arab Republic of Egypt is an independent sovereign state, united and indivisible, its system democratic.\u2028The Egyptian people are part of the Arab and Islamic nations, proud of belonging to the Nile Valley and Africa and of its Asian reach, a positive participant in human civilization.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Islam is the religion of the state and Arabic its official language. Principles of Islamic Sharia are the principal source of legislation.<\/p>\n
The canon principles of Egyptian Christians and Jews are the main source of legislation for their personal status laws, religious affairs, and the selection of their spiritual leaders.<\/p>\n
Al-Azhar is an encompassing independent Islamic institution, with exclusive autonomy over its own affairs, responsible for preaching Islam, theology and the Arabic language in Egypt and the world. Al-Azhar Senior Scholars are to be consulted in matters pertaining to Islamic law.
The post of Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh is independent and cannot be dismissed. The method of appointing the Grand Sheikh from among members of the Senior Scholars is to be determined by law.
The State shall ensure sufficient funds for Al-Azhar to achieve its objectives.
All of the above is subject to law regulations.<\/p>\n
Sovereignty is for the people alone and they are the source of authority. The people shall exercise and protect this sovereignty, and safeguard national unity in the manner specified in the Constitution.<\/p>\n
The political system is based on the principles of democracy and shura (counsel), citizenship (under which all citizens are equal in rights and duties), multi-party pluralism, peaceful transfer of power, separation of powers and the balance between them, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and freedoms; all as elaborated in the Constitution.
No political party shall be formed that discriminates on the basis of gender, origin or religion.<\/p>\n
The State guarantees the means to achieve justice, equality and freedom, and is committed to facilitating the channels of social charity and solidarity between the members of society, and to ensure the protection of persons and property, and to working toward providing for all citizens; all within the context of the law.<\/p>\n
The State shall ensure safety, security and equal opportunities for all citizens without discrimination.<\/p>\n
The family is the basis of the society and is founded on religion, morality and patriotism.
The State is keen to preserve the genuine character of the Egyptian family, its cohesion and stability, and to protect its moral values, all as regulated by law.
The State shall ensure maternal and child health services free of charge, and enable the reconciliation between the duties of a woman toward her family and her work.
The State shall provide special care and protection to female breadwinners, divorced women and widows.<\/p>\n
The State shall safeguard ethics, public morality and public order, and foster a high level of education and of religious and patriotic values, scientific thinking, Arab culture, and the historical and cultural heritage of the people; all as shall be regulated by law.<\/p>\n
The State shall safeguard the cultural and linguistic constituents of society, and foster the Arabization of education, science and knowledge.<\/p>\n
The institution of civil titles shall be prohibited.<\/p>\n
National economy shall be organized in accordance with a comprehensive, constant development plan, ensuring the increase of national income, enhancement of standard of living, elimination of poverty and unemployment, increase of work opportunities, and increase of production.
The development plan shall establish social justice and solidarity, ensure equitable distribution, protect consumer rights, and safeguard the rights of workers, dividing development costs between capital and labor and sharing the revenues justly.
Wages shall be linked to production, bridging income gaps and establishing a minimum wage that would guarantee decent living standards for all citizens, and a maximum wage in civil service positions with exemptions regulated by law.<\/p>\n
Agriculture is an essential asset of the national economy. The State shall protect and increase farmland, work on the development of crop and plant varieties, develop and protect animal breeds and fisheries, achieve food security, provide the requirements of agricultural production, its good management and marketing, and support agricultural industries.
The law regulates the use of land, in such a way as to achieve social justice, and protect farmers and agricultural laborer from exploitation.<\/p>\n
The State is committed to the development of the countryside and the desert, working to raise the standard of living of the farmers and the people of the desert.<\/p>\n
Industry is an essential asset of the national economy. The State shall protect strategic industries, support industrial development, and import new technologies and their applications.
The State shall foster small handicraft industries.<\/p>\n
The natural resources of the State belong to the people, who have a right to their revenues. The State is committed to preserving such resources for future generations and putting them to good use.
State property is not to be disposed of. The franchise to use, or the commitment to a public utility, can only be granted according to legal regulations.\u2028 All money with no owner belongs to the State.<\/p>\n
The Nile River and water resources are a national wealth. The State is committed to maintaining and developing them, and preventing abuse. The use of such resources shall be regulated by law.<\/p>\n
The State shall protect its coasts, seas, waterways and lakes, maintain monuments and nature reserves, and remove any encroachments.<\/p>\n
The State guarantees and protects legitimate ownership of all kinds of public, cooperative and private property and endowments, as shall be regulated by law.<\/p>\n
Public funds are inviolable. It is a national duty of the State and society to safeguard them.<\/p>\n
Private property is inviolable and has a function in the service of national economy without deviation or monopoly. The right of inheritance shall be safeguarded. Private property may not be placed under sequestration except in cases specified by law, and with a court order. Ownership of property may not be removed except in cases where the public good requires and with just compensation paid in advance.
All of the above shall be regulated by law.<\/p>\n
The State is committed to reviving and encouraging the system of charitable endowments.\u2028The way an endowment is established, the management of its funds, their investment and the distribution of proceeds to the beneficiaries, shall all be regulated by law, according to the terms of the trustee.<\/p>\n
Social justice is the foundation of taxation and other public finance duties.
Public taxes shall not be established, modified or repealed except by law. There shall be no exemptions except in the cases prescribed by law. No one shall be required to pay additional taxes or fees except within the limits of the law.<\/p>\n
Workers shall have a share of the management and profits of enterprises. They shall be committed in turn to the development of production, to protecting its means and to the implementation of plans in their production units, in accordance with the law.
Workers shall be represented on the boards of directors of public sector units within the limit of 50 percent of the number of members of these boards. The law shall guarantee for small farmers and small craftsmen 80 percent of membership on the boards of directors of agricultural and industrial cooperatives.<\/p>\n
Saving is encouraged and protected by the State. The State shall also safeguard insurance and pension funds, in accordance with legal regulations.<\/p>\n
Nationalization shall not be allowed except for in consideration of public interest, in accordance with the law and against fair compensation.<\/p>\n
Public sequestration of property shall be prohibited.
Private sequestration shall not be allowed except under a court judgment.<\/p>\n
Dignity is the right of every human being, safeguarded by the State.
Insulting or showing contempt toward any human being shall be prohibited.<\/p>\n
Egyptian nationality is a right, regulated by law.<\/p>\n
All citizens are equal before the law. They have equal public rights and duties without discrimination.<\/p>\n
Individual freedom is a natural right, safeguarded and inviolable.<\/p>\n
Except in cases of flagrante delicto, no person may be arrested, inspected, detained or prevented from free movement except under a court order necessitated by investigations.
Any person arrested or detained must be informed of the reasons in writing within 12 hours, be presented to the investigating authority within 24 hours from the time of arrest, be interrogated only in the presence of a lawyer, and be provided with a lawyer when needed.
The person arrested or detained, and others, have the right of appeal to the courts against the measure of arrest. If a decision is not provided within a week, release becomes imperative.
The law regulates the rules for temporary detention, its duration and its causes, and cases of entitlement to compensation, whether for temporary detention or for a sentence carried out that a court final ruling has revoked.<\/p>\n
Any person arrested, detained or whose freedom is restricted in any way, shall be treated in a manner preserving human dignity. No physical or moral harm shall be inflicted upon that person.
Only places that are humanely and hygienically fit, and subject to judicial supervision, may be used for detention.
The violation of any of the above is an offense punishable by law.
Any statement proved to have been made by a person under any of the aforementioned forms of duress or coercion or under the threat thereof, shall be considered invalid and futile.<\/p>\n
Prison is a place of discipline and reform, subject to judicial supervision, where anything that is contrary to human dignity or a person\u2019s health is prohibited.
The State is responsible for the rehabilitation of convicts and facilitating a decent life for them after their release.<\/p>\n
The private life of citizens is inviolable. Postal correspondence, wires, electronic correspondence, telephone calls and other means of communication shall have their own sanctity and secrecy and may not be confiscated or monitored except by a causal judicial warrant.<\/p>\n
Private homes are inviolable. With the exception of cases of immediate danger and distress, they may not be entered, searched or monitored, except in cases defined by law, and by a causal judicial warrant which specifies place, timing and purpose. Those in a home shall be alerted before the home is entered or searched.<\/p>\n
All residents have a right to security which is safeguarded by the State, and are protected by law against criminal threats.<\/p>\n
The sanctity of the human body is inviolable, and the trafficking of human organs prohibited. No person may be subjected to any medical or scientific experiment without free, documented consent, and in accordance with the established foundations of medical science, in the manner regulated by law.<\/p>\n
Freedom of movement, residence and immigration shall be safeguarded.
No citizen may be deported from or prevented from returning to the country.
No citizen shall be prevented from leaving the country, nor placed under house arrest, except by a causal judicial warrant, and for a definite period.<\/p>\n