Egypt's judges agree to oversee constitution vote
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 10 December 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Egypt's judges agree to oversee constitution vote, 10 December 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/50cb3ace23.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 10, 2012
By RFE/RL
Antigovernment protesters sit outside their tents below a flag that says "No to the constitution," on Tahrir Square in Cairo on December 10.
Judges in Egypt have agreed to supervise a referendum on the country's new constitution.
Judges of the Administrative State Council made the decision on December 10, but called on supporters of President Muhammad Morsi to end their ongoing sit-in in front of the High Constitutional Court.
Morsi ordered the army on December 9 to "protect government institutions" ahead of the referendum on December 15.
His decree gives army officers the authority to arrest civilians and orders them to cooperate with police in "maintaining public order."
It follows days of protests by the opposition to denounce the planned referendum and the new constitution, which was drafted by Morsi's Islamist allies.
At least five people have been killed and hundreds injured in street clashes between supporters and opponents of the president.
In a bid to defuse tensions, Morsi annulled last month's decree that gave him nearly unrestricted powers. But he announced over the weekend that the referendum will go ahead as planned.
The opposition says the new constitution fails to protect fundamental freedoms as well as the rights of women and minorities.
Sameh Ashour, a spokesman for the National Salvation Front, Egypt's main opposition group, has suggested a possible boycott of the constitutional vote.
"The National Salvation Front announces its complete rejection of the referendum scheduled for December 15," he said. "We reject this referendum, which will certainly lead to more division and sedition."
The opposition has called for more protests on December 11. The Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi's Islamist ally, has announced plans for a rival rally the same day.
Last week, the army deployed tanks outside the presidential palace in Cairo following deadly clashes between supporters and opponents of the president.
Morsi's decree giving the army police powers has raised fears about a possible return to military rule in Egypt.
The military ruled Egypt between the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak in mass street protests in February 2011 and the election of Morsi in June this year.
The current standoff is the most serious political crisis in the country since Mubarak's ouster.
The military so far has sought to remain neutral, urging both sides to hold dialogue. But it also warned it "will not allow" the situation to deteriorate.
With reporting by dpa, Ahram.org, AP, AFP, and BBC
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
