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Egypt's Interim President Signs Law Restricting Protests: State TV
Adli Mansour, Egypt's chief justice and head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, attends his swearing in ceremony as the nation's interim president in Cairo July 4, 2013, a day after the army ousted Mohamed Mursi as head of state. PHOTO BY REUTERS
24/11/2013
CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's interim president signed into law on Sunday a bill that rights groups have said sharply curbs the rights of citizens to assemble and protest peacefully.
State television reported that Adli Mansour had signed the bill, which requires protesters to receive advance permission from the police before gathering.
In the nearly three years since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising, Egyptians have taken to the street regularly to air their grievances.
Rights groups had urged Mansour to reject the draft presented to him by the cabinet installed after the army overthrew President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in July.
"The draft law seeks to criminalise all forms of peaceful assembly, including demonstrations and public meetings, and gives the state free hand to disperse peaceful gatherings by use of force," read a joint statement issued on Friday by 19 Egyptian rights groups.
Thousands of supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and Mursi were demonstrating in Cairo and in several other cities when the news was announced. They were marking the passing of 100 days since security forces dispersed two pro-Mursi sit-ins in Cairo, killing hundreds.
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