As protests spread across the Arab world in 2011, Egypt became a beacon of hope in the region. But this glimmer of light quickly dimmed, rights groups say, pointing to a widespread crackdown on dissent, with recent constitutional amendments only deepening the country’s human rights woes.

The National Elections Authority (NEA) announced on Tuesday that the referendum on a set of major constitutional amendments, which allow President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to remain in office until 2030, passed by 88.8 percent with a 44.3 percent turnout.

Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) on Sunday has ruled that the second paragraph of article 6 for the law on Egyptian nationality is unconstitutional.

Among the proposed amendments to Egypt’s Constitution currently making their way through Parliament is an unprecedented change to the defined role of the Armed Forces in the country. In all nine constitutions* since Egypt’s first in 1882, the military’s role was limited to a single task: protecting the country and …

In a meeting with Middle Eastern and North African general prosecutors in Cairo on Wednesday, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi once again stressed the importance of judicial independence, asserting that “no one can interfere with the work of the judiciary.”

Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court on Saturday abolished any government’s authority to dissolve NGOs, according to the state’s MENA news agency.

Amnesty International called yesterday for the Egyptian authorities to immediately release Egyptian human rights activist Hoda Abdelmonem.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi late on Sunday met with the members of the Judicial Authorities Council including the minister of justice, the chiefs of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Cassation Court and public prosecutor, as well as others according to a presidency statement. 

An Alexandria prosecutor’s office ordered on Tuesday the detention of Alexandrian rights lawyer Mohamed Ramadan for 15 days, after he posted a photo of himself wearing a yellow vest on his Facebook page several days ago in solidarity with the French “Yellow Vest” movement, according to lawyer Mahienour al-Massry.

Women’s rights activists and jurists hailed a decision by the Supreme Judiciary Council earlier this month to promote 16 female judges, expressing hope that women in top judicial positions will make their mark on the gender-sensitive issues that come before the courts.