Egypt's opposition steps up demands for release of prisoners ahead of national dialogue
With Egypt's proposed national dialogue set to open in the coming days, opposition figures are stepping up demands for the release of political detainees.
The long-awaited national political dialogue between the government and Egypt's political forces is set for early July — a little over two months after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for a comprehensive societal dialogue to discuss "the priorities for national action."
In statements made during an Iftar banquet in late April that was attended by a number of opposition figures, Sisi also stressed that the dialogue must include all political parties "without discrimination."
In recent days, a 19-member general secretariat, or board of trustees, has been formed to manage the proposed dialogue. The committee has been tasked with setting the agenda and dividing participants into working groups according to their respective specializations. It will also compile a report on the recommendations that emerge from the dialogue sessions, which will then be submitted to Sisi.
Members of the committee include parliamentarians, academics, and journalists appointed after ''consultations" with the participating political parties, trade and labor unions, and government officials, according to Diaa Rashwan, general coordinator of the national dialogue.
