Conference on the Role of the constitution in the Transition to Democracy in Egypt

cairo on 5 February 2012

Press Release

Conference on the Role of the constitution in the Transition to Democracy in Egypt

The International Commission of Jurists (Geneva-based) in cooperation with the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) and Hisham Mubarak Law Center (HMLC) organize a Conference on "the Role of the constitution in the Transition to Democracy in Egypt",  during the period from 6^th to 7^th February 2012 in Shepheard Hotel, Cairo. 

The Conference discusses several issues related to the role of constitutions in securing steady transitions to democracy; the constitution-making process; the establishment and the functioning of a Constituent Assembly; and the process of adopting the constitution and the importance of respecting the principles of inclusivity, participation, consensus and transparency. The Conference tackles the separation and balance of powers; civilian oversight over the army and security services; legislative oversight of the executive; the role, functioning and independence of the judiciary; and limitations on the scope and role of military tribunals and special courts, including guarantees of fair trials.

The conference is co- chaired by a number of experts in the field of Law and Legislation on both national and international levels, including Mr. Wilder Tayler, Secretary General- ICJ, Justice Azhar Cachalia, Judge - the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa, Raji Sourani, ICJ Commissioner and Said Benarbia, Senior Legal Adviser, ICJ.

The Conference includes a number of participants, named Justice Ahmed Mekki, Vice-presidentof the Court of Cassation, Justice Hisham Geneina, President, Cairo Appeals Court,

Judge Essam Farag, Vice President of the Court of Cassation, Prof. Mohammed Nour Farahat, Law Professor at Zagazig University, Dr. Gaber Nasser, Professor of Constitutional Law in Cairo University, Prof. Amr El Shalakani, Law Professor at the American University in Cairo, Mr. Sameh Ashour, President of the Bar Association and the Head of the Arab Lawyers Union, Mr. Ahmed Saif il Islam, Lawyer and founder of HMLC, Mr. Mahmoud Kandil, Lawyer and Human rights activist, Mr. Abdellah Khalil, Lawyer and Human rights activist, Mr. Essam Al Islamboulli, Lawyer in the supreme Constitutional Court, Ms. Mozn Hassan, the Executive Director of Nazra, Mr. Nasser Amin, Director of ACIJLP, Mr. Ahmed Ragheb, Director of HMLC, Mr. Hossam Haddad, Human rights activist in HMLC and Mr. Mina Khalil, Human rights activist in HMLC.