The Egyptian House of Representatives majority approved on Tuesday a draft law on confronting pandemics and epidemics submitted by the government.
The Secretary General of the Egyptian House of Representatives Ahmed Saad Eddin said while presiding over the plenary session that: “The majority needed to approve the draft law was met, and the House’s final approval is announced.”
The law gives the prime minister the right to take up to 25 measures in the event of epidemics and pandemics, which include placing restrictions on the movement of people, halting studies partially or completely, halting work at schools and universities, and setting dates for opening and closing public shops.
The law stipulates penalties of imprisonment and a fine of no more than LE20,000, or one of these two penalties, for anyone who violates any of the measures stipulated in the Prime Minister’s decision, issued in accordance with the law or the decisions issued by the committee in implementation of this decision.
Anyone who incites to violate any of the measures stipulated in the Prime Minister’s decision issued in accordance with the law or the decisions issued by the committee in implementation of this decision shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine not exceeding LE 10,000, or by one of these two penalties.
Article 25 of the law stipulates imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine of not more than LE 10,000, or one of these two penalties for anyone who intentionally broadcasts, publishes or promotes false or malicious news, statements or rumors related to the epidemiological situation, and that would disturb public peace, cause panic among citizens or harming the public interest.
The plenary session witnessed widespread controversy and a large number of MPs objected to this article, which allows journalists to be imprisoned in case of publishing false news.
In the face of the opposition of the MPs, Ashraf Hatem, head of the Health Committee, suggested adding a text to the article instead of deleting it that would protect journalists from being subjected to imprisonment.
The amendment added reads “Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 29 of the Law Regulating the Press and Media No. 180 of 2018, and any severer penalty stipulated in another law.”
And Article 29 of the Law Regulating the Press and Media stipulates that no freedom-depriving penalty may be imposed in crimes committed by publication, with the exception of crimes related to incitement to violence, discrimination among citizens, or insulting the honor of individuals.
The majority leader in the House of Representatives Ashraf Rashad announced his support for the proposal of the head of the Health Committee, saying that the addition reassured the MPs who objected to the article.
