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Katatni: Pressures Failed to Extend Emergency Law

Although the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) did not formally ask Egyptian parliament to extend the notorious Emergency Law – brutally imposed for 31-years in Egypt – certain powers pressed for just that; but Katatni assures that parliament would never agree to the state of emergency again.

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Dr. Mohamed Saad Katatni, Speaker of the Egyptian People’s Assembly (lower House of Parliament), has revealed that the venerable institution came under intense pressure to extend the state of emergency, but parliament let it expire on Thursday.

“The post-revolution Parliament would not have agreed to extend the state of emergency after it became a conduit for the opinion of the Egyptian street, representing the people’s aspirations.”

In his speech at Parliament, Sunday June 3, Dr. Katatni, affirmed that Egyptian law contains enough legislation to achieve homeland security. He underscored the need to respect and safeguard the rights of Egyptian people under the just law.

"On Thursday, the emergency law expired. Declared back in 1981, it was imposed on the Egyptian people for 31 years of repression. Ending the state of emergency brings us closer to the end of tyranny and corruption that usurped the fundamental rights of Egyptian citizens.

"For the first time, the people of Egypt will enjoy freedom, after the January 25 revolution, which sought the termination of this law, as one of its most important demands."

Dr. Katatni added that Egypt has lived most of its modern history in the dark shadow of the state of emergency, since the beginning of British occupation in 1914 – in the form of martial laws.

"The Emergency Law was completely futile. However, it was used to violate many people’s rights, incarcerate innocent citizens unjustly, to settle scores with foes, and to muzzle opposition leaders.

“The People’s Assembly will not agree to any extension of emergency law. There is no turning back. We will never approve the emergency law again.”