Egyptian Odds and Ends

Egypt's Justice
The Egyptian Supreme Justice Council met yesterday to discuss the first part of the judges’ grade promotion which will include the promotion of 1366 members of the court of cassation, 30 of them are the deputies of the court. Promotions will include 196 chairmen for the court of appeal, 302 counselors and relocation of 619 members. Read story in Arabic

I wonder if this is part of the demotion of the Egyptian judges or bribing them to give up their responsibilities towards the Egyptian people.

Egypt's Elections
AL MASRY AL YOUM NEWSPAPER- 14/9/200522
HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS URGE MUBARAK TO SET UP INDEPENDENT BODY FOR INVESTIGATION OF ELECTORAL VIOLATIONS

The Coalition of Civil Society for Monitoring Elections urged President Mubarak to set up an independent investigation body to look into thegrave infringements that occurred on the 7th of September.Representatives of 22 human rights organizations asked during the press conference hosted by the Egyptian Human Rights Organization that the proposed investigation body would listen to all parties that havesupervised and monitored the elections, including the PEC.The Coalition specified another number of demands, as stated by Hafez Abu Se'da, Secretary General of EOHR, primarily: Completing the national ID card system; amending the electoral system before the coming legislative elections; administering full judiciary monitoring overelections; separating state institutions from the NDP; allowing localmonitoring of coming legislative elections by virtue of a presidentialdecree.

Egypt's Security
Looks like Egypt is in trouble with the Palestinians. My guessing is that Israel dumped Egypt with Gaza while we are still licking our wounds from Sharm El-Sheikh terrorist attack. Egypt was not yet ready to control its borders at the Rafah Crossing. Having Hamas masked men at our borders is not a very comfortable situation. THAT'S HORRIFIC!

U.S. Commitment to Women in the Middle East
As part of the United States’ strong commitment to advance freedom in the Arab world, President Bush, in December 2002, launched the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). MEPI recognizes women’s empowerment as one of four key pillars integral to reform in the region along with political, educational, and economic advancements. This is the complete fact sheet that was released a couple of days ago.

Anti-Mubarak Swearing in Day Demonstration
Egyptians will be demonstrating at the day Mubarak will be sworn in as a president to start his fifth term. Stay tuned!

Photo by AP