CAIRO: The Egyptian Union for Human Rights Organization (EUHRO) proposed a draft law to combat what it described as “the risk posed by the escalating sectarian violence in Egypt.
Naguib Gobrael, head of EUHRO, told Daily News Egypt that he sent the draft law to several government entities, the most prominent of which are the President, the Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Justice.
“Sectarian violence reached a point that cannot be faced except by a law preventing these crimes, he said.
The draft law – a copy of which was obtained by Daily News Egypt – includes 16 articles, one of which calls for forming a separate prosecution and court specialized in sectarian crimes.
The first few articles offered a definition for sectarian violence. “Sectarian violence in the eyes of the law includes whoever commits a physical or moral act aimed at showing contempt for, or attacking a religious group or sect recognized by the constitution or given final court rulings, Article 1 says. The draft law imposes punishments on offenders ranging from five-year jail sentences to the death penalty – should the crime in question involve murder.
“Egypt has been going through difficult times for four decades marred by sectarian clashes that almost disrupted [the peace] in this safe country . the lack of laws combating [sectarian] sedition . has a major effect on social peace, the draft law read.
“The articles of the constitution are one thing and implementing them is another; this caused a huge crack in this society’s foundations, especially its Muslims and Copts, it added.
