Organized by Wadina Foundation

Participants

Ms. Tahani al-Gebali, Counselor, Vice President, Supreme Constitutional Court
Dr. Maged al-Sherbini, Counselor, Wadina Foundation (Moderator, First Debate)
Dr. Ali Eddin Hellal, Media Secretary, National Democratic Party
Mr. Fathi Ragab, Deputy Chairman, Shura Council Legislative Committee
Dr. Ref'at al-Said, Leader, Tagamuu Party
Mr. Mounir Fakhri Abdel-Nour, Secretary-General, al-Wafd Party
Dr. Nabil Helmi, Member, Policy Secretariat, National Democratic Party
Mr. Abdullah Khalil, Human Rights Expert, United Nations (Moderator, Second Debate)
Kamal Hassan Ali, Head, Egypt-Based Office, Ruling Congress Party, Sudan

The Debates

Counselor al-Gebali started the first debate by asserting that citizenship has long been a time-honored concept in the relationship between the State and individuals in Egypt. The need is pressing, she added, to develop a constitutional framework for exercising citizens' rights and warned against violating or infringing on them during the process of legislation.

On his part, Dr. Hellal underscored the necessity of re-establishing the concepts of citizenship, which he described as the other side of the coin of nationality, based on respect of all religions. He urged action to raise awareness of democracy and human rights not only by word but also by deed. Various methods can be used to achieve this goal; e.g. schoolbooks, places of worship and the media.

Counselor al-Sherbini highlighted the fact that the proposed Constitutional amendments represent a step in the right direction towards re-charting political and social life in Egypt. He added that they accentuate the shift towards democracy initiated some years ago. Counselor al-Sherbini further noted that citizenship is a key factor in the proposed amendments given that it is likely to achieve balance in society by eliminating the root causes of sectarian conflict and by emphasizing equality.

In the Second Debate, Dr. Khalil called for banning laws discriminating against individuals or women.

Dr. al-Said stressed the need to achieve real citizenship, by avoiding discrimination against man or woman, Muslims or Copts. He further highlighted al-Tagamuu Party's position against statehood based on religion. He insisted that the Constitution should proclaim that Egypt is a secular state.

Dr. Abdel-Nour noted that once the term citizenship is added to the Constitution, a consensus is required, providing for the right of all citizens to participate in public life, to be nominated for public office, and to form societies and political parties within the framework of the law.