[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Egypt and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Egypt Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to egypt@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.]
Political Rights
HRW calls on Egypt to pass transitional justice law on Rabaa anniversary International watchdog Human Rights Watch called on Egypt’s parliament to pass a transitional justice law establishing a new, impartial investigation into the "mass killing of protesters" in the 2013 Rabaa sit-in.
MB reiterates support for Mursi on Rabaa`s 3rd anniversary The now-banned Muslim Brotherhood group said it "will not compromise Mursi`s legitimacy," on the third anniversary of Rabaa al-Adaweya dispersal.
The Rabea sit-in dispersal: Who the state is blaming three years on A look into the case file and conversations with defendants’ relatives and lawyers explain how the state is prosecuting the Muslim Brotherhood for the violent dispersal of its sit-in.
The famous yellow Rabea logo: What has it achieved? After Egyptian security forces dispersed the Rabea al-Adeweya sit-in calling for the reinstatement of former President Mohamed Morsi three years ago, killing hundreds in the span of a few hours, a black hand showing four fingers on a yellow background quickly spread on social media networks. Mohamed Hamama examines its significance.
Egypt court postpones Rabaa dispersal trial to Sep 6 The Cairo Criminal Court postponed on Tuesday the trial of Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide and 738 others in a case dubbed as “Rabaa sit-in dispersal” to 6 September.
Court postpones trial of Mubarak-era interior minister Habib al-Adly Cairo`s criminal court postponed on Tuesday the trial of former Mubarak-era interior minister Habib al-Adly over illegal amassing of the ministry’s money to 18 October.
Egypt court orders investigation into alleged torture of MB leader A Cairo criminal court referred to investigation on Tuesday accusations made by leading Muslim Brotherhood member Mohamed al-Beltagy that he was tortured by leading interior ministry officials.
Political parties, public figures urge Sisi to suspend IMF talks A number of political parties, civil society organizations and public figures urged President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in an open letter Saturday to suspend talks with the International Monetary Fund over a twelve billion USD loan to Egypt.
Sisi: 2011 revolution negatively affected Egypt`s economy Following recent talks concerning increases in electricity prices and Egypt’s initial twelve billion USD deal with the International Monetary Fund, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a speech Saturday that the Egyptian economy has long suffered, given the country`s history with wars in the 1950s and 1960s.
Foreign Ministry slams Economist magazine for article criticizing Sisi’s policies Egypt’s Foreign Ministry hit back at The Economist magazine for an article it published asserting, “Repression and the incompetence of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are stoking the next uprising.”
Lawyer: Court ignores claims of conflict of interest in Tiran and Sanafir case A lawyer from the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights claimed the state has ignored challenges to the composition of the court reviewing the Tiran and Sanafir island case, alleging the judge hearing the case has a conflict of interests.
Nationalism and generosity fuel the defense of Tiran and Sanafir A look at how documents proving the islands were Egyptian were collected and donated.
HRW criticizes Sisi government for prosecution of ousted corruption watchdog Human Rights Watch released a report on Tuesday criticizing Egypt’s prosecution of former head of the Central Auditing Authority, Hesham Geneina, and calling on the government to drop the case.
Cairo-based rights organization cancels youth summer program amid state crackdown The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies announced the cancelation of its annual summer school on human rights on Saturday amid an ongoing state crackdown on rights-based work in Egypt.
Mahienour al-Massry and Youssef Shaaban released from prison after serving 15-month sentences Human rights lawyer Mahienour al-Massry and journalist Youssef Shabaan were both released on Saturday after serving fifteen-month prison sentences.
Coptic sectarian violence victims flee Minya and demand justice in front of Parliament Fleeing from their homes in the Minya village of Koum al-Loufy in the face of death threats, an extended family of twenty-four Coptic Christians made their way to the Parliament building on Monday morning to demand justice for the 30 June sectarian violence incident that left their houses looted and destroyed.
Why do sectarian tensions run high in Minya? Stories of sectarian incidents in Upper Egypt’s Minya have become all too familiar.
Egypt approves military protection over public facilities for 5 more years Egypt`s parliament approved on Tuesday the extension of the law allowing the military to contribute in protecting public facilities for five more years.
Egypt prohibits police officers from revealing information to the media Egypt`s parliament approved on Tuesday amendments that prohibit police officers from providing information related to their work, even when they are off duty, to any media outlet except by written consent.
Amendment of Egypt`s press law indefinitely postponed by parliament Egypt parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al told MPs Monday that an amendment aimed at granting President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi the right to appoint a new Higher Press Council will be indefinitely postponed.
Economy
Egypt reaches initial US$12 billion agreement with IMF Egypt and the International Monetary Fund reached a staff-level agreement Thursday on a three-year twelve billion USD fund aimed at bringing down budget deficit and debt, in addition to helping increase Egypt’s economic growth.
Foreign reserves fall to US$15.5 bn, as Egypt repays loans After steadily inching upward since September 2015, Egypt’s foreign currency reserves dropped by two billion USD in July, closing the month at 15.54 billion USD.
State fiscal policies, proposed legislation fuel labor unrest Egypt’s workers, professionals, along with the owners and managers of textile companies, are protesting against the government’s recent fiscal policies, imminent increases in taxation, and proposed socio-economic legislation.
Egypt allocates additional land to Toshka project In another attempt to expand a project that has long been the subject of criticism, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has increased the area of land allocated to the Toshka project.
Investors terminate renewable energy projects following dispute over feed-in tariff The future of Egypt’s renewable energy program is in doubt as relations between officials and investors continue to deteriorate.
Brace yourselves for higher electricity prices Bills for most household consumers will go up by at least a third, according to new electricity prices announced this week.
Foreign Relations
Yemeni PM arrives in Cairo, as Houthi rebels convene 1st parliament session in 2 years Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr arrived in Cairo on Sunday morning to discuss ongoing developments in Yemen’s fifteen-month old conflict.
International Judo Federation to ‘review’ Egyptian fighter’s actions The International Judo Federation has announced that it will review Egyptian judo fighter Islam al-Shehaby’s “attitude” following the Rio Olympics after he refused to shake hands with his Israeli opponent on Friday.
23 expatriate Egyptian workers abducted by armed elements in Libya Unidentified assailants abducted a group of twenty-three expatriate Egyptian workers at gunpoint on Sunday, as the workers’ three-car convey traveled eastwards toward the Egyptian border, having departed from the northwestern town of Masslatta.
23 kidnapped Egyptian workers return from Libya after release The twenty-three Egyptian workers who were abducted at gunpoint in Libya earlier in the week crossed over the neighboring countries` border to return to Egypt after they were released earlier Friday.
Egypt’s MPs reject Irish parliamentary motion calling for Halawa’s release Egyptian members of Parliament have rejected a motion issued by Ireland’s legislature that called for the release of Irish-Egyptian national Ibrahim Halawa, slamming the demand as interference in domestic judicial affairs.
Is Egypt the new gateway to Europe? Tom Rollins examines why fewer Syrians and more Africans and Egyptians embark into the sea from the north coast of Egypt.
Egypt`s navy foils illegal migration attempt of 146 Egypt`s naval forces foiled late Saturday the illegal immigration attempt of 146 individuals crossing the Mediterranean Sea on a fishing boat, Egypt`s army spokesman said in a statement.
Domestic Security
Egyptian man shot dead in North Sinai Unidentified gunmen shot a civilian dead in North Sinai late on Monday.
From Jadaliyya Egypt
أخبار السيسي السارة لن تسره In light of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s statement on Monday about how the coming days will bring good news, while stressing the importance for the public to accept the harsh measures involved, Mohamad Waked examines the socioeconomic contradictions inherent to Sisi’s statement and the policies that it alludes to.