CAIRO — The Egyptian parliament’s Legislative Committee approved Nov. 1 a draft law submitted by the government, approving the dismissal of civil servants who support terrorist groups, mainly the Muslim Brotherhood, from all state agencies and institutions, without taking disciplinary measures. 

In the explanatory memo for the new amendments to Law No. 10 of 1972, the government said that as per Article 237 of the constitution, “the state is obliged to confront terrorism in all its forms, a threat to the homeland and citizens, and track its sources of financing according to a specific timetable while guaranteeing rights and freedoms. This law will regulate the provisions of anti-terrorism measures and fair compensation for any ensuing damages.”

It continued, “The Egyptian state is waging a fierce war against terrorism, violence and extremism. Terrorism begins with an anomalous and poisonous mindset spread by the misguided followers of terrorism to deceive others. This creates a breeding ground for corrupt ideas of terrorism and violence. The state will by no means serve as an arena for such ideas or fertile soil that terrorist groups would exploit to recruit followers."

The memo also stressed the need to dismiss public employees who are “intellectually affiliated” with terrorist groups, as this would pose an imminent threat to the public interest and society. “Drying up the sources of extremism is not limited to confronting its promoters in the state administrative apparatus only, but necessitates confrontation at a wider and more comprehensive level,” it added.