Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a notable move reflecting Egypt’s evolving approach to judicial reform and civil rights, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has returned the newly proposed Criminal Procedure Law to the House of Representatives for reconsideration. The law, originally submitted to the presidency on August 26, 2025, has sparked widespread public and institutional feedback, prompting a review of several of its provisions.
According to an official statement from the presidency, numerous appeals had been received urging a re-examination of the draft legislation. The objections centered on concerns related to governance standards, legal clarity, and practical applicability. Specifically, the statement highlighted the need to reassess certain articles to ensure stronger protections for the sanctity of private residences, the legal rights of defendants during investigation and trial, and the broader implementation of alternatives to pretrial detention.
The presidency stressed the importance of avoiding ambiguous legal language that might lead to conflicting interpretations or hinder practical enforcement. Additionally, the proposed delay aims to provide government ministries and relevant agencies with adequate time to understand and prepare for the law’s newly introduced mechanisms and procedures.
While the decision to return the draft law reflects a commitment to enhancing legal safeguards, President Sisi also acknowledged the significant efforts made by Parliament in drafting and approving the legislation. He praised the law for addressing several previously unregulated areas for the first time in Egyptian legal history.
Among the key innovations in the draft law are comprehensive procedures for placing defendants on travel ban or arrival watch lists, compensation mechanisms for unjustified pretrial detention in specified cases, and the reduction of its duration. The law also includes provisions for conducting investigations, renewing detentions, and holding court hearings remotely using digital platforms, a step toward modernizing judicial processes.
Other notable features of the draft include enhanced protections for witnesses and expanded frameworks for international judicial cooperation in criminal matters. The bill also introduces substantial amendments to existing legal provisions, reflecting Parliament’s broader push toward updating and refining Egypt’s criminal justice system.
The return of the draft law to Parliament does not mark a rejection, but rather a call for deeper dialogue and refinement to ensure that the final legislation balances the imperatives of security, justice, and human rights. The decision signals the administration’s willingness to engage constructively with both lawmakers and civil society in shaping a more transparent and effective legal framework.
