Egypt Places New Ban on Protests

Kelly Givens | Contributing Editor to Crosswalk.com | Updated: Nov 25, 2013

Egypt Places New Ban on Protests

Rights groups and activists immediately denounced Egypt's new law limiting public gatherings, CBN News reports. The country's interim president has created a ban that punishes any group of 10 or more people gathering in public, prior to government approval. The law imposes hefty fines and prison terms for violators.

The definition of "public gathering" will include not only political protesters, but also public election meetings and gatherings in public for worship. This new law is considerably more restrictive than rules about such gatherings under former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, who was overthrown in 2011.

The law requires any gatherers to notify the government three days in advance. Officials have the right to bar any protest or gathering considered a threat to public safety. Police can also use force if warnings aren't headed and groups haven't been given permission to meet.

Publication date: November 25, 2013.



Egypt Places New Ban on Protests