Egypt President Orders Quick Reform of Pre-Trial Detention Following National Dialogue

President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has instructed the Egyptian government to promptly enact the recommendations regarding pre-trial detention and criminal justice that emerged from the National Dialogue.

In a statement, the Egyptian Presidency underscored President Al-Sisi’s dedication to addressing the outcomes of the National Dialogue, noting its broad scope and the expertise of its participants.

“My response to the recommendations of the National Dialogue reflects a sincere commitment to implementing the provisions of the Egyptian Constitution and the national strategy for human rights,” President Al-Sisi remarked.

The recommendations, presented to the President on Monday, followed extensive discussions held during the National Dialogue’s sessions on human rights and public freedoms.

The sessions, which commenced on July 23, 2024, assembled a diverse array of participants, including political analysts, human rights lawyers, public officials, parliamentarians, political party representatives, leaders of human rights organisations and members of the Presidential Pardon Committee.

The Board of Trustees of the National Dialogue highlighted that pre-trial detention and criminal justice were among the primary issues addressed during both the preparatory and public sessions.

“The discussions were conducted with seriousness and transparency,” the board stated. “All opinions expressed during the sessions or submitted as proposals to the National Dialogue were incorporated into the recommendations, with no view or proposal excluded.”

A total of 24 recommendations were submitted, with 20 reaching unanimous agreement. The remaining four recommendations reflected varied opinions on their implementation.

President Al-Sisi’s directive forms part of a wider initiative to tackle human rights issues in Egypt. Pre-trial detention has long been a contentious issue between the government and human rights organisations.

The National Dialogue’s recommendations covered several key areas, including:

* Reducing the maximum duration of pre-trial detention to ensure it serves solely as a precautionary measure necessary for investigations, rather than a punitive measure.

* Effectively implementing alternative measures to pre-trial detention.

* Providing both material and non-material compensation, including redress for wrongful pre-trial detention.

* Addressing pre-trial detention in cases where multiple crimes occur simultaneously.

The recommendations, which represent the culmination of 12 hours of uninterrupted discussions and contributions from 120 speakers of varied backgrounds, aim to foster a more just and humane criminal justice system in Egypt.

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