NextFin news, On Monday, September 22, 2025, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi referred the draft Criminal Procedure Law back to the House of Representatives for additional examination following objections raised by various stakeholders, including human rights organizations and professional syndicates.
The decision came after the parliament had approved the 544-article law in late April 2025, following three years of preparation and five months of extensive discussions. Despite the approval, concerns persisted regarding several provisions, prompting numerous appeals to the president to reconsider specific articles.
The Arab Organisation for Human Rights (AOHR) welcomed President El-Sisi's move, viewing it as a positive indicator of political will to improve respect for and protection of human rights in Egypt. The AOHR highlighted key issues raised by the president, including the need to strengthen safeguards for the sanctity of private homes, expand defendants' rights before investigative and judicial authorities, increase alternatives to pre-trial detention, clarify ambiguous wording to prevent misinterpretation, and allow sufficient time for relevant authorities to implement new mechanisms effectively.
The draft law, which covers criminal prosecution, evidence collection, courts, appeals, enforcement, and international judicial cooperation, was initially received from the House of Representatives on August 26, 2025, with a request for promulgation.
Egypt's House of Representatives is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, to review the returned draft law. This session coincides with the opening of the parliament's new legislative season, which constitutionally must begin before the first Thursday of October each year.
The review process aims to address the objections and ensure the law aligns with human rights standards while facilitating swift and fair justice. The law's reconsideration follows concerns raised by civil society institutions, including lawyers and journalists' syndicates, about the potential impact of certain provisions on freedoms and legal protections.
President El-Sisi's directive and the upcoming parliamentary session reflect ongoing efforts within Egypt to balance legal reforms with human rights considerations amid domestic and international scrutiny.
Explore more exclusive insights at nextfin.ai.
