CAIRO: Egypt s upper house of parliament discussed Wednesday an official proposal to set up for the first time an appeals process for military tribunals used to try terrorism suspects.
Egypt s military tribunals, which try civilian suspects in addition to military ones, have been harshly criticized by international human rights organizations for their swift verdicts, and the lack of a right to appeal.
The amendment to the military courts is an important step in the path towards judicial reform and supporting the independence of the judiciary, minister of state for parliamentary affairs, Mufid Shehab, told the session.
A set of constitutional amendments passed last month enshrines in the constitution the president s right to try anyone in a military court.
The Muslim Brotherhood, the country s largest opposition group, has in particular been targeted by the courts, with dozens of its members convicted in the past and another 30 set to be tried soon.
While the government is touting the new bill as a step towards judicial reform, critics argue that civilians should not be tried before military courts to begin with.
Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the Egyptian government to stop trying civilians before military courts, the London-based watchdog said in a report published Wednesday.
Trials before these courts violate some of the most fundamental requirements of international law, in particular the right to a fair and public hearing before a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law, the report said.
