In Egypt, penalties proposed for those not wearing decent clothes in public places
Egyptian activists denounce a new bill that would oblige citizens to wear decent clothes under pain of financial penalties and say the proposed law is extremely conservative and involves serious constitutional violations.
CAIRO — Egyptian member of parliament Ghada Ajami of the Support Egypt bloc submitted a controversial bill Oct. 30 that stirred a wide debate about the rights of citizens to be able to wear and do what they want without censorship or interference from authority.
The proposed “public decency law” would oblige citizens to wear clothing that meets certain standards and to refrain from saying or doing certain things in public areas.
Article 3 of the bill reads, “Anyone who visits a public place shall abide by the values, customs, traditions and culture prevailing in the Arab Republic of Egypt.”
Article 4 stipulates, “It is prohibited to appear in a public place in indecent outfit or clothing, or to wear a garment bearing pictures, shapes, signs or phrases prejudicing public decency.”
