New Rules for Courts Threaten Fair Trials in Egypt – HRW

The changes to Egypt's courtroom rules would endanger a core element of a fair trial, the defendant's right to confront the evidence against them in court, according to the statement of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

MOSCOW (Sputnik) —The changes to Egypt's courtroom rules, allowing judges to bar witnesses, could undermine the essence of fair trials, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement on Sunday.

Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, adopted by Egypt's cabinet on February 18, give judges the sole authority to decide whether witnesses can be called and their testimony heard, according to the HRW.

"The proposed changes to Egypt's courtroom rules would endanger a core element of a fair trial, the defendant's right to confront the evidence against them in court," Sarah Leah Whitson, the watchdog's Middle East and North Africa Division chief, was quoted as saying in the statement.

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah Sisi should reject the new rules, Whitson added. "Egypt's government should clearly and publicly renounce the proposed changes without delay."

Under the existing rules, Egyptian judges are asked to comply with litigants' wishes to call witnesses to testify and to verify testimony collected during initial investigations.

Earlier in March, Egypt's State Council, the body in charge of advising on draft laws, said that the proposed changes were unconstitutional, HRW said, citing Al-Shorouk newspaper. The rights group added that Sisi's government has often bypassed the State Council and issued legislation without its approval.