At the time when Article 76 of the Constitution was being amended, some stood strongly opposed to the change. They did not recognize at the time that it represented a major leap towards democracy; indeed it marked the beginning of a series of changes that had already begun and that would continue well into the future.

Some people believed that Constitutional amendments alone are enough to eliminate all negative aspects and accelerate steps towards modernization. The truth, however, is that we need to speed up our efforts to modernize the society so that other amendments might be safely introduced.

Looking in hindsight to the Egyptian Constitution 50 years ago and in foresight after the proposed amendments, we will discover there will be a great difference. We will have taken major, confident and promising steps towards democracy. The amendments will have contributed to the separation of the three powers and to ensuring freedom, the sovereignty of law and human rights; parties will have been allowed a more active role. In all fairness, these amendments need to be fully analyzed and debated.

The amendment introduced to Article 1 alone is itself an improvement on Egypt's political life. For the first time ever, citizenship will be the foundation of the State system.

Citizenship is the keystone of modern democracies. While it represents a political dimension, equality stands a legal principle. In this context, the State belongs to all its citizens. All are living under the same skies, have common interests and are subject to the same laws. Discriminating against any group is therefore unacceptable.

Under citizenship, all individuals will be respected, regardless of their religion or their opinions.

Ragab al-Banna
Al-Ahram
Sunday, January 28, 2007