History of the Egyptian Constitution
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The Constitution of Egypt has passed over a long period of evolution from the liberal constitution of 1923 to the contemporary constitution.
Ancient Egypt
Egypt is known for having one of the earliest administrative and legislative codes in history. Pharaonic civilization laid the groundwork in Egypt in terms of governance and management. The king, or Pharaoh, at the top of the state hierarchy, appointed high-ranking government officials.
Early Islamic era
During the Islamic era, governance and legislation were principally drawn from the
When Egypt became the capital of the Shi'ite Fatimid Caliphate (969-1171) governance and legislation developed. Furthermore, the city of Cairo became the capital of Egypt.
Throughout the era of the Ayubi state (1171–1250), the Citadel became the headquarters and the center of power. Legislative and judicial councils diversified, and there was a justice council and another to attend to complaints lodged. Their duties involved laws as well as treaties with foreign countries
In the Mamluk era (1250–1517) Sultan El-Zaher Bebars built the Court of Justice at Salah El-Deen El-Ayoubi Citadel to be the government premises. Its competence covered enforcement of laws, settling of disputes, and negotiations with nearby countries.
Ottoman Empire
During the Ottoman era, (1517–1805) Islamic courts constituted the judicial system. Judges had their verdicts directly based on Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia) as far as civil and criminal disputes were concerned. This continued in effect until the end of the 18th Century. Thus, Egypt had been the scene of crucial political and social developments.
In 1795, almost six years after the French revolution, a major political uprising demanding rights, freedoms and justice fueled. It brought together national forces and popular leaderships in support of national demands for justice, equality, and freedom.
As a result of the mounting resistance against the Ottoman ruler, the Wali, and
20th century
The first 20th century constitution for Egypt is that of 1923, the first modern codified form of a national constitution.[1] It provided for monarchical dominance with the king as head of state with power to influence the legislature.[2]: 192 The 1923 Constitution remained in effect throughout the remainder of the monarchy except for the period from 1930 to 1935 when the Constitution of 1930 was in effect.[2]: 192
Following the
The Constitution of 1956 adopted by President Nasser was the first republican constitution and it stipulated the formation of the National Assembly on 22 July 1957. The assembly was made up of 350 elected members and remained effective until 10 February 1958, when the Egyptian-Syrian merger as the United Arab Republic was given force and the 1956 Constitution revoked.
The Provisional Constitution of the United Arab Republic was formulated in March 1958,[2]: 194 and a joint National Assembly was established.[2]: 194 It first met on 21 July 1960 and lasted to 22 June 1961.
Following the 1961 secession of the
In March 1964, another provisional Constitution was declared, the "
In 1971, when President Anwar Sadat took office, he moved towards the adoption of a new democratic constitution that would allow more freedoms; the return to a more sound parliamentary life, correct democratic practice[citation needed] and made Sharia "a source of legislation" (Article II), amended in 1980 to read "the principal source of legislation." With the 1971 constitution, the country was renamed the Arab Republic of Egypt.
21st century
In 2005, President Hosni Mubarak asked the parliament to amend Article 76 of the constitution that defines how the President of Egypt is elected.
2011 Egyptian revolution
During the 2011 Egyptian revolution, opponents to President Mubarak demanded modifications to the constitution or rewriting it.[citation needed] On 10 February 2011, Mubarak stated that he had requested that Articles 76, 77, 88, 93 and 181 be amended and that Article 179 be removed.[3] Following Mubarak's resignation, the military government of Egypt appointed the Egyptian constitutional review committee of 2011 and proposed that Articles 76, 77, 88, 93, 139, 148 and 189 be amended and Article 179 removed.[4] On 30 March, a new
2013–2014
President
List of written constitutions
- Monarchy
- Constitution of 1879: 1879 (abortive)
- Fundamental Ordinance of 1882: 1882
- Constitution of 1923: 1923–1930, 1935–1952
- Constitution of 1930: 1930–1935
- abolitionof the monarchy
- Provisional constitution of 1953: 10 February – 1956
- Constitution of 1956: 23 June 1956 – 1958
- Constitution of 1958 (provisional, United Arab Republic): 10 February 1958 – 1962
- Constitutional Proclamation of 1962: 27 September 1962 – 1964
- Constitution of 1964("Constitution of the United Arab Republic", provisional): 1964–1971
- Constitution of 1971: 11 September 1971 – 2011; adopted by President Anwar Sadat
- Constitutional Declaration of 2011 (provisional): 2011–2012; following the Egyptian Revolution of 2011
- referendum on 15 and 22 December 2012
- referendum on 14–15 January 2014
References
- ^ "Constitution: Overview" at State Information Service website. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Harvey Henry Smith. Area Handbook for the United Arab Republic (Egypt). U.S. Government Printing Office, 1970.
- ^ Adams, Richard (10 February 2011). "Mubarak refuses to resign - Thursday 10 February". The Guardian. London.
- ^ Saleh, Yasmine (27 February 2011). "Factbox: Proposed changes to Egypt's constitution". Thomson Reuters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "Egyptian constitution 'approved' in referendum". BBC News. 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ^ "Egypt's timetable for transition to elections". Associated Press. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ^ Gregg Carlstrom (14 December 2013). "Egypt president sets date for referendum". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 27 December 2013.