Egypt poised to approve changes to citizenship law
Amendments to Egypt’s citizenship law could be approved amid fears they would be used to repress the regime’s opposition.
CAIRO — Parliament is set to consider amendments to Egypt's citizenship law. The country's administrative courts approved the amendments Dec. 18, and parliament is expected to vote on them.
Opponents say the amendments, which involve the revocation of citizenship, can be interpreted so broadly as to include peaceful protests, free speech and activism, and they could be used to harass and restrict journalists.
Egyptian courts are buzzing with cases against the regime's political opponents — including former Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei — alleging espionage and endangering national security. On Dec. 10, Cairo Criminal Court added the names of 161 Muslim Brotherhood members to its list of terrorists. The new amendments could deprive them all of Egyptian citizenship.
Deposed and imprisoned former President Mohammed Morsi also could be affected. An administrative court is awaiting a legal opinion from the State Commissioners’ Committee on a proposal to withdraw Morsi’s citizenship. Morsi has been convicted of espionage and leaking government documents relating to national security and the armed forces to Qatar. Under the new amendments, these charges would be sufficient to strip Morsi of his citizenship.
