During ECESR’s Roundtable: Legal Experts Raise Concerns Over Egypt’s Draft Asylum Law, Urging Clear Measures to Protect Refugee Rights
On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights convened a roundtable discussion titled “Refugee Issues in Egypt: Between Reality and Law.” The event followed the Egyptian Parliament’s approval of the country’s first asylum law, which awaits final ratification by the President.
The discussion featured key legal and refugee experts, including Nasser Amin, Director of the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and lawyer at the International Criminal Court; Ashraf Milad, a cassation lawyer and international refugee affairs consultant to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights; and Karim Ennarah, Director of the Criminal Justice Unit at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights. Additional legal professionals and specialists in international law and refugee issues also participated.
Participants examined the legal and humanitarian implications of the draft law, expressing concerns about several of its provisions. Experts noted that certain articles merely repeat Egypt’s existing international treaty obligations, without offering innovative mechanisms to address refugee challenges.
Vague and ambiguous language in the law was flagged as a potential obstacle to effectively safeguarding refugee rights. Experts emphasized that the true impact of the law would depend on its forthcoming executive regulations. They called for precise terminology and clear procedural frameworks to ensure proper alignment with international standards and robust protection for refugees.
The draft law establishes a permanent committee under the Prime Minister’s jurisdiction to handle asylum applications. It stipulates that asylum seekers who entered the country unlawfully must submit their applications within 45 days to avoid penalties, including fines or imprisonment. For those who entered legally, the committee must make a decision within six months.
The law prioritizes vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities, pregnant women, unaccompanied minors, and victims of trafficking or violence. It grants refugees various rights, including access to travel documents, protection from deportation, freedom of religious practice, and access to basic education and healthcare.
Simultaneously, the law requires refugees to adhere to Egyptian laws and respect societal norms, while strictly prohibiting any activities that could threaten national security or public order.
