Egypt Unveils Draft of New Constitution
13th October 2012
Egypt unveiled a proposed draft of a new constitution Wednesday amid criticism from liberals and human rights groups that the document is tilted toward Islamic law and endangers the democratic ideals of the uprising that last year overthrew Hosni Mubarak.
My, what a surprise! Aren’t you surprised? I’m sure surprised.
Article 36 stipulates that “the state shall take all measures to establish the equality of women and men in the areas of political, cultural, economic, and social life, as well as all other areas, insofar as this does not conflict with the rulings of Islamic sharia.”
Hole, meet truck. Truck, meet hole. Drive, truck, drive.
Human Rights Watch criticized the provision as “not consistent with international human rights law.” In a report this week, the organization said that the proposed draft “contains many loopholes that would allow future authorities to repress and limit basic rights and freedoms.”
Okay, somebody explain to me how this is any better than it was before. At least under Mubarak we were getting value for your money.
“The draft constitution defines citizens as those whose identity is primarily Islamic, and, secondly, nationals of the country. In this conception of citizenship, the state aims to control and hegemonize citizens’ visions, stances and beliefs, working to entrench them and produce standardized citizens.”
Perhaps they could get Barack to play Big Brother there, once his gig in America is over.