Sisi's reform comes under scrutiny

Egypt’s push to review judicial processes raises fears over individuals’ right to fair trial, writes AFP

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Egypt is poised to adopt a new law aimed at overhauling the judicial process, but human rights groups warn it could entrench longstanding abuses including arbitrary detention, travel bans and expedited trials.

The legislation, currently awaiting approval by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, is being promoted by the government as a step towards streamlining legal procedures, from arrest to trial.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has told the UN Human Rights Council it would bring a “legislative revolution to criminal justice” in Egypt.

Ihab al-Tamawy, the head of the parliamentary subcommittee charged with drafting the new code, told AFP it “introduces a set of new guarantees” on Egypt's notorious pretrial detention system, as well as the role of the public prosecution.