Moravef pointed out, in a statement on radio 'Sawa' that was then reported by the Middle East News Agency, that the article on women's rights in the light of the term 'Islamic Sharia' is particularly worrisome. It conflicts with the Egyptian constitution itself and also with Egypt's obligations with respect to non-discrimination in accordance with the International Covenant on Political and Economic rights, according to her.
She added that the previous wording of the article that was suggested last August in relation to human trafficking stated "the prohibition of slavery and trafficking in women and children". However, the wording was changed to "the prohibition of slavery and the violation of the rights of women and children", saying that the word "violation" is too "loose and the general and does not state the actual crime in international law, namely human trafficking".
Human Rights Watch released a report earlier that stated that the current draft constitution does not guarantee the defense of human rights nor provide adequate protection for the rights of women and children. It also does not guarantee freedom of religion and does not provide clear procedures against torture.
Nadim Houry, the Deputy Executive Director of the Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch, said last week " the Constituent Assembly has a historic opportunity to set the foundations necessary for the respect of human rights in Egypt but the current draft fails to live up to this standard because of vague restrictions in the draft that destroy the essence of a lot of freedoms".
Members of the Constituent Assembly say that the constitution may be ready for a referendum in November, but there is no specific date yet.
Source: AllAfrica