The Cabinet has “no intention” to discuss the controversial 2013 Protest Law any time soon, Cabinet spokesperson Hossan Qawesh told the “Akher Al-Nahar” program Wednesday night.
“The widely-reported news about amendments to the law is not even close to the truth” Qawesh said.
He added that the law, which criminalizes any political demonstration without permission from security forces, was issued after “all social bodies and organizations” had a chance to challenge it, and there are no indicators for now that any kind of review of the law would be considered.
A number of NGOs and public figures have called to reconsider the law, saying it violates the basic rights of freedom of expression and peaceful protest.
At least 107 activists are on a hunger strike now, according to the Freedom for Brave Facebook page; of whom 85 are in jail, and 22 in solidarity with those accused of violating the law.
Some activists recently ended their strikes following the release of Alaa Abdel Fattah, Mohamed Nouby and Wael Metwaly on bail, Monday Sep. 15.
Bread and Freedom Party co-founder Khaled Ali announced Wednesday that he would join a strike for two days showing solidarity with detained activists and demanding the immediate amendment of the protest law.
Gameela Ismail, a prominent political figure and leading member in the Dostour Party, announced Wednesday that she would join a hunger strike.
Nasser Amin, the head of the Complaints Committee in the National Council for Human Rights told Youm7 the Cabinet’s decision not to discuss the protesting law amendments as “deeply concerning.”
“This decision was expected from the government, but it’s not only forming a source of danger against the youth, it threatens the whole state,” said Zizo Abdo, a member of the 6 April Movement told Al-Watan Thursday, adding “we will continue our movements and escalate it until this law is canceled and all the activists are freed.”
