Egyptian judges condemn Morsi powers
Source: Agencies |
November 25, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
EGYPT'S highest body of judges yesterday slammed a recent decision by the president to grant himself near-absolute power, calling the move an "unprecedented assault" on the judiciary.
In a statement on Egypt's official MENA news agency, the Supreme Judicial Council condemned this week's declaration by President Mohammed Morsi placing his decrees above judicial review until a new constitution and parliament is in place, several months if not more in the future.
Their condemnation is the latest blow to Morsi, whose decision Thursday set off a firestorm of controversy and prompted tens of thousands of people to take to the streets in nationwide protests Friday.
Through their statement, the judges join a widening list of leaders and activists from Egypt's political factions, including some Islamists, who have denounced the decree.
The Supreme Judicial Council is packed with judges appointed by former President Hosni Mubarak. It regulates judicial promotions and is chaired by the head of the Court of Cassation. Their move reflects a broad sense of anger within the judiciary. Some judges' groups and prosecutors have already announced partial strikes to protest Morsi's decree.
Morsi has accused pro-Mubarak elements in the judiciary of blocking political progress. In the past year, courts have dissolved the lower house of parliament as well as the first panel drafting the constitution, both led by his Muslim Brotherhood group.
The edicts Morsi issued mean that no judicial body can dissolve the upper house of parliament or the current assembly writing the new constitution, which are also both led by the Brotherhood.
Several hundred protesters remained in Cairo's Tahrir Square yesterday, where tents have been erected in a sit-in following nearly a week of clashes with police. Opposition groups called for another mass rally on Tuesday, saying that the edicts make Morsi a "new pharaoh."
In a statement on Egypt's official MENA news agency, the Supreme Judicial Council condemned this week's declaration by President Mohammed Morsi placing his decrees above judicial review until a new constitution and parliament is in place, several months if not more in the future.
Their condemnation is the latest blow to Morsi, whose decision Thursday set off a firestorm of controversy and prompted tens of thousands of people to take to the streets in nationwide protests Friday.
Through their statement, the judges join a widening list of leaders and activists from Egypt's political factions, including some Islamists, who have denounced the decree.
The Supreme Judicial Council is packed with judges appointed by former President Hosni Mubarak. It regulates judicial promotions and is chaired by the head of the Court of Cassation. Their move reflects a broad sense of anger within the judiciary. Some judges' groups and prosecutors have already announced partial strikes to protest Morsi's decree.
Morsi has accused pro-Mubarak elements in the judiciary of blocking political progress. In the past year, courts have dissolved the lower house of parliament as well as the first panel drafting the constitution, both led by his Muslim Brotherhood group.
The edicts Morsi issued mean that no judicial body can dissolve the upper house of parliament or the current assembly writing the new constitution, which are also both led by the Brotherhood.
Several hundred protesters remained in Cairo's Tahrir Square yesterday, where tents have been erected in a sit-in following nearly a week of clashes with police. Opposition groups called for another mass rally on Tuesday, saying that the edicts make Morsi a "new pharaoh."
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