Egyptian member of parliament for three consecutive terms since 2005, founder and subsequent president of the Reform and Development Party, and nephew of late President Anwar Sadat, Mohamed Anwar Esmat al-Sadat affirmed that he and his family fell victim to many difficult circumstances due to their political stances, including being stripped of his membership in the 2007 People’s Assembly, only 48 hours after being elected, in a precedent never before seen in the Egyptian parliament. He also recounted seeing his brother Talaat, also an MP, jailed for one year after being convicted by a military court of contempt of the military, which he accused of complacency in protecting President Anwar Sadat when the latter was assassinated in 1981.Al-Monitor interviewed Sadat about the challenges faced by the Egyptian parliament and the state of human rights in Egypt, as well as his opinion about reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, the calls for demonstrations on the upcoming anniversary of the revolution, and his view concerning calls to amend the Camp David Accords with Israel, among other matters.
The text of the interview follows.
Al-Monitor: Will the next parliament effectively exercise its oversight role on the government, in light of the so-called State Support bloc, and will this bloc play a role similar to the one played in the past by the ruling National Party in parliament?
Sadat: It is too early to assess how things will be run inside parliament. But many have concerns about the manner by which electoral lists were formed and the overall management of the electoral process. These concerns are primarily related to the pressure exercised by security agencies in relation to choosing the speaker, deputy speakers and committee chairmen, in order to ensure their control over parliament. In that regard, though, and irrespective of the arrangements being made with the knowledge of sovereign state agencies, there remain honest MPs who shall not succumb to pressure and who will faithfully exercise their oversight role.
Al-Monitor: Don’t you worry that your membership will be stripped, as occurred in 2007?
Sadat: I did not fear Zakaria Azmi [former presidential chief of staff] or Ahmed Ezz [former senior member of the National Democratic Party] at the height of their power. I fear nothing, for I am an elected representative of the people. No one has any authority over me because I was neither appointed to parliament nor became a member therein by being part of a list. I will only rightfully oppose measures and am prepared to pay the price in defense of justice.
Al-Monitor: The future of Sherif Ismail’s Cabinet is contingent on parliament’s approval of its program. What is your assessment of the situation, as a number of parliamentarians object to the Cabinet remaining in office?
Sadat: The next government will be formed by the president who will appoint the ministers therein. It is a forgone conclusion that parliament will endorse said selection regardless of the appointees.
Al-Monitor: You were a member of the 2012 Constituent Assembly. What is your view of the constitutional amendments made in 2014 and the calls to amend the constitution once again?
Sadat: The 2012 constitution was not a bad one. The 2014 amendments must be implemented before we can speak of further amendments, particularly considering that current calls are for amending provisions related to the system of rule and parliament, particularly provisions dealing with the presidential term and withdrawing confidence from the president, both of which I am against changing.
Al-Monitor: You stated that you will run for the presidency of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee. How do you asses the state of human rights in Egypt, in light of the accusations leveled against the Interior [Ministry] related to torture and enforced disappearances?
Sadat: My three consecutive terms in parliament have afforded me great experience, and I was honored to chair the 2012 Parliament’s Human Rights Committee. It is no secret to anyone that the state of human rights in Egypt requires considerable reassessment, with people needing to feel that comprehensive change has been made, not only to their political rights, but also to their social and economic rights. The presidency of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee calls for violations to be dealt with, be they associated with the judiciary, the Interior [Ministry] and Information [Ministry]. It also calls for openness toward the outside world in order to illustrate the truth about the shift toward democracy in Egypt. I do not fear the accusations of treason leveled at those who talk about human rights.
If I were to win the presidency of the Human Rights Committee, my first task would be to discuss the phenomenon of forced disappearance, despite the fact that some of those disappeared may have joined [the Islamic State] or resorted to illegal immigration. Still, I will ask for a hearing between the relatives of those disappeared and representatives of the Interior [Ministry] and intelligence services to determine the truth in this regard.
Al-Monitor: Are you optimistic about your chances of winning the presidency of this committee, despite talk that the committees’ memberships and presidencies have already been decided, prior to parliament even being convened?
Sadat: There are many question marks in that regard. For Mr. Mortada Mansour submitted his candidacy to the Human Rights Committee for some unknown reason. In his capacity as president of the Zamalek [Sports Club], his background in sports makes him better suited for the Youth and Sports Committee, or even, as a lawyer, the Legislative Committee. Also, the Free Egyptian Party nominated Maj. Gen. Khaled Khalafallah, a 30-year veteran of state security agencies, to the Human Rights Committee, which would make us the laughing stock of the world. But, God willing, I shall remain steadfast.
Al-Monitor: Some are calling for amendments to the Camp David Peace Accords. What is your comment?
Sadat: I see no wrong in amendments being deliberated by parliament in keeping with Egyptian interests and subsequent submission to the Israeli and American sides. But there are those who unrealistically exploit the accords for political motives, as evidenced by some speaking about the affront to national sovereignty due to Egypt’s hands being tied in Sinai; while, in truth, military equipment is flowing unfettered into Sinai, and Egyptian armed forces are freely dealing with terrorism there, with America and Israel not objecting thereto. That was part of Sadat’s genius. For in times of danger, no one can prevent us from defending our sovereignty. We are in a state of peace with Israel, and the latter must respect our need to defend the country’s national security.
Al-Monitor: What is your opinion concerning some members of former President Sadat’s family accusing former President Mubarak of playing a part in Sadat’s assassination?
Sadat: Accusing President Mubarak of killing Sadat is nonsense; the former greatly respected and admired President Sadat. He would never conspire against or betray a man who treated him like a son. Furthermore, treachery and betrayal are not traits of a military officer.
Al-Monitor: What about the accusations made by Gamal Abdel Nasser’s daughter, Hoda, that Sadat killed her father?
Sadat: That is talk not worthy of the daughter of President Abdel Nasser, as it is delusionary and people view it as a form of lunacy.
Al-Monitor: Do you see on the horizon any signs of reconciliation between the regime and the Muslim Brotherhood?
Sadat: Neither the state nor the Brotherhood are currently ready for discussions about reconciliation. As such, I do not think it possible at the current time, but it shall occur in the years to come.
Al-Monitor: Are the calls to demonstrate next January 25 receiving any popular support?
Sadat: Jan. 25 will be a day for street celebrations and firework displays. There will no demonstrations similar to those that occurred previously, for the Egyptian people desire stability, and the priority now is for rebuilding. People do not revolt incessantly, and even wars are followed by peace. The calls made by Islamists and others shall not be heeded, for the Egyptian people are friendly and ill inclined to violence, particularly considering that we have a president endorsed by the majority of people, despite the frustration felt by the youth and college students in particular. In that regard, most Egyptians think that the alternative would be even worse.
Al-Monitor: You mentioned the youth’s frustration. What is your opinion of the student union’s solution?
Sadat: The Minister of Higher Education did not respect the will of students, which has had a negative impact on young people. He treated them with great arrogance and refused to sit at the same table with the elected president of said union, at a time when mere children were elected to parliament in 2015, among them those who became the heads of parties and still received allowances from their parents, in a clear message to young people that the affluent shall attain the highest posts, while the less fortunate would only see their elected councils dissolved.
Al-Monitor: Is there true separation of powers in Egypt?
Sadat: The overall impression does not indicate any changes occurring between the Egypt regimes of old and those of the new Egypt. Negative messages abound. I shall judge them objectively in parliament and report back my findings in our next interview.
