The writing of the Egyptian constitution is proving to be as expected no easy matter as conflicting opinions and legal matters continue to complicate the process.
In the latest, Cairo’s Administrative Court set the 23rd of October as the date to issue the verdict on the fate of the Constituent Assembly. Several law suits had been filed against the committee drafting the constitution after the dissolvment of the lower house of parliament which had appointed the 100 member constituent assembly.
Many here contend that the current 100 member panel must continue its work because this assembly was chosen by the first freely elected parliament since the ouster of longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak.
In essence, if the Egyptian public votes on the proposed constitution then legally no court can vote against the constituent assembly.
But thats not all that’s threatening the continuation of the work of
the assembly as ultra conservative salafis are protesting saying that
the draft is too liberal. Also, the seculars are objecting to a number
of articles concerning women as well as children’s rights.
Finally comes Egypt’s judges who are saying that the proposed articles in the constitution puts them under the presidents authority jeopardizing the
independence of the judiciary.
Despite the many obstacles facing the work of the constitutional assembly in drafting the new egyptian constitution, progess is being made is the key issues and finally the egyptian public will have their say in a referendum.