Date of source: Thursday, May 27, 1999 to Wednesday, June 2, 1999
A bill that regulates NGO activities has been approved in principle by the People’s Assembly. The bill faced severe criticism, with independent and opposition deputies arguing that the bill was at the expense of civil rights and political freedoms because it obstructs the formation of certain NGOs...
Date of source: Thursday, May 27, 1999 to Wednesday, June 2, 1999
Despite press reports claiming the rejection of Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya to ongoing efforts by some of its former members to establish a political party, the would-be founders vow to move on. Dialogue is said to be taking place between leading members of several Islamist groups including the Gamaa...
Date of source: Thursday, May 27, 1999 to Wednesday, June 2, 1999
The minister of justice has announced new restrictions on the marriage of Egyptian women to foreign men, many of whom are Saudis. But the proposal has come under fire from many quarters. It could push men to seek an Urfi marriage.
Date of source: Thursday, May 20, 1999 to Wednesday, May 26, 1999
A long-awaited draft law that will regulate the activities of some 14,000 registered NGOs was approved on Monday by the People’s Assembly’s Religious and Social Affairs Committee.
Date of source: Thursday, May 13, 1999 to Wednesday, May 19, 1999
Interior Minister Habib El-Adli denied that there is a truce between the security forces and the Gama’a Islamiyya. He said his department acts to reintegrate jailed militants into society once they "repent" and are released. El-Adli also announced that an official probe into allegations of police...
Date of source: Monday, May 10, 1999
The Minister of the Interior Habib Al-’Adly emphasizes that Egypt is secure and everything is under control, denies that there is any religious persecution in Egypt, or that there is any compromise between the security forces and terrorist groups, and talks about the release of repentant ex-...
Date of source: Monday, May 3, 1999
An interview between Rafa’t Al-Sa’id of the Tagammu’ Party (who is fiercely critical of the Muslim Brotherhood), and Saleem ’Azouz (the interviewer). He says: "A religious [political] party will start or directly lead to terrorism. I tell you frankly that politicization of religion or...
Date of source: Wednesday, April 28, 1999 to Wednesday, May 12, 1999
The infamous Article 291 of the penal code, which exempts a rapist from punishment if he marries his victim, was canceled by the People’s Assembly on 20 April. Lawyers and women’s activists, who’d been pushing for years for amendment to the law, hailed the decision as a partial victory for women’s...
Date of source: Wednesday, April 28, 1999 to Wednesday, May 12, 1999
The so-called Returnees from Albania trial - the largest in the stream of military trials of Islamist militants since the assassination of President Sadat in 1981 - ended on 18 April with the usual cocktail of death sentences, prison terms and acquittals.
Date of source: Thursday, April 22, 1999 to Wednesday, April 28, 1999
Egyptian prosecutors have remanded in custody for 15 days several suspected members of the militant group jihad, some of whom had been deported from another state, an official daily said on April 15.