Constitutional Madness in Egypt

Amnesty International has condemned the amendments as the “greatest erosion” of rights in Egypt in 26 years.

BAM. GREATEST EROSION. That's gotta mean something, right?

The Government is trying (and succeeding) to pass a reform for 34 articles of the Constitution. Not all reforms are dumb. Well, they’re scrapping everything that has to do with Egypt being a ‘socialist’ country. (the constitution was drafted in 1971...)

But there’s also a lot - and I mean a LOT - of bullshit in the suggested reforms: (to read the reforms, (in arabic) click here)

The amendments include an anti-terrorism clause that enshrines sweeping police powers of arrest and surveillance in the Constitution. The amendments would allow Mubarak to dissolve Parliament unilaterally and would weaken judicial oversight of polls, which have been marred by complaints of irregularities. The amendments would also bar political activity based on religion, seen as a swipe at the Muslim Brotherhood. (from the Daily Star)

It’s quite ridiculous. The Government really thinks it owns the country -and us, by the same token.

A little significant story: while the reforms were being voted (well, being passed) in the parliament, the National Democratic Party deputies (the Gov party) were kinda falling asleep, and the opposition managed to block one of the amendments from passing, the president of the parliament decided to redo the vote and yelled at the government representatives (also known as the NDP)to ‘wake up’!

This is how ridiculous things are now...

Of course, you have people who are upset.

The craziest part about that, though, is the way the Government is reacting: it does not care. Not that it doesn’t care about people, it doesn’t care about publicly repressive.

That’s a little worrying.

Basically it seems to me that the Gov no longer cares about what the people think: we went from subtle scaring, silent oppression (basically if you kept your head down and your tongue in your pocket you were safe). Well, not anymore. It’s out in the open. Big Brother is here and wants to be seen.

Anyways, back to this ridiculous voting. This is how nonsensical it has become:

“Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit defended the hasty timeline for the vote, saying the timing is largely for the convenience of Egyptians who want to take spring vacations.” [Yeah right. As if they could afford it].

Amnesty International has condemned the amendments as the “greatest erosion” of rights in Egypt in 26 years.

Mohamed el-Sayed Said, an analyst at the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, said the amendments amounted to a “constitutional coup”, with the elite within government abducting the reform process to augment the president’s substantial powers.

And who will take the issue to the streets? That’s right: students.

Aaaaaaaaaalright. So a lot of whining, and some arrests and stuff.

Referendum was yesterday, and guess what??

If you said that the amendments were rejected, click here.

With an official turnout of 27%, the reforms were approved. with a 75.9%.

Welcome to the newest constitutionally police state in the world! Hail to our future King, Gamal the First!