Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Egypt (Ratification: 1958)

The Committee has noted the information provided by the Government in reply to its earlier comments. It has noted the adoption of Act No. 93 of 1995 amending certain provisions of the Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedures and Act No. 76 of 1970 establishing the Union of Journalists.

Article 1(a) of the Convention. 1. In its earlier comments, the Committee referred to:

(a) section 80(d) of the Penal Code, as amended by Act No. 112 of 19 May 1957, in so far as it applies to the wilful dissemination abroad by an Egyptian of tendentious rumours or information relating to the internal situation of the country for the purpose of reducing the high reputation or esteem of the State, or the exercise of any activity which will prejudice the national interests;

(b) section 98(a)bis and 98(d) of the Penal Code, as amended by Act No. 34 of 24 May 1970 -- advocacy, by any means, of opposition to the fundamental principles of the socialist system of the State, encouraging aversion or contempt for these principles, encouraging calls to oppose the union of the people's working forces, constituting or participating in any association or group pursuing any of the foregoing aims, or receiving any material assistance for the pursuit of such aims;

(c) section 102bis of the Penal Code, as amended by Act No. 34 of 24 May 1970 -- dissemination or possession of means for the dissemination of news or information, false or tendentious rumours, or revolutionary propaganda which may harm public security, spread panic among the people or prejudice the public interest;

(d) section 178(3) of the Penal Code, as amended by Act No. 536 of 12 November 1953 and Act No. 93 of 28 May 1995 -- production or possession with a view to the distribution, sale, etc., of any images which may prejudice the reputation of the country by being contrary to the truth, giving an inexact description, emphasizing aspects which are not appropriate, or in any other manner;

(e) sections 2, 12 and 92 of Act No. 32 of 12 February 1964 concerning associations and private foundations -- under which no association may be established if its objective is to impair the social system of the Republic, wide discretionary powers are granted to the competent administrative authorities to refuse the establishment of any association, and imprisonment with compulsory labour may be imposed on anyone who undertakes any activity on behalf of an association not duly established;

(f) the Public Meetings Act, 1923, and the Meetings Act, 1914, granting general powers to prohibit or dissolve meetings, even in private places, subject to penalties of imprisonment with compulsory labour;

(g) sections 98(b), 98(b)bis and 174 of the Penal Code (concerning advocacy of certain doctrines);

(h) section 172 of the Penal Code (concerning incitement to any offence against the security of the State);

(i) section 188 of the Penal Code (concerning the dissemination of false news, etc., which may harm the public interest);

(j) sections 4 and 26 of Act No. 40 of 1977 (prohibiting the creation of political parties whose objectives are in conflict with Islamic legislation or with the achievements of socialism, or which are branches of foreign parties).

2. As explained in paragraphs 102-109 and 133-140 of the General Survey of 1979 on the abolition of forced labour, any sanction involving compulsory prison labour is contrary to the Convention when inflicted for expressing certain political views or views ideologically opposed to the political system, or for having infringed a discretionary decision by the administration depriving them of the right to make public their opinions or suspending or dissolving certain associations.

3. The Committee also noted that, under Act No. 33 of 1978 respecting the protection of the Interior Front and social peace, any call to oppose the principles of the revolution or to propagate doctrines hostile to the democratic socialist system, or which involves rejection of the laws of heaven or is contrary to their teachings is punishable in accordance with the provisions of sections 98 and 174 of the Penal Code. Under the same Act, the provisions of section 80(d) and Title 4 of Book 2 of the Penal Code, concerning offences committed through the press, apply to all publications and dissemination abroad by an Egyptian citizen, liable to prejudice the country's higher national interests or to corrupt political life and endanger national unity and social peace. The public ministry may conduct an investigation into such offences and summon the authors to appear before the Court of Fundamental Values which may sentence them to the penalties provided for in Act No. 95 of 1980 respecting the protection of fundamental values; if the offender is an association, the penalty of imprisonment and the fine are handed down in accordance with section 92 of the Act respecting private associations.

4. Section 4 of Act No. 40 of 1977 respecting political parties was amended by Act No. 36 of 1979, and the new Act provides that in order for a party to be formed or to continue to exist, its principles, programmes, activities and the choice of its leaders and members must not be based on notions of class or of a confessional, sectarian or geographical nature, or on discrimination on grounds of sex, extraction, religion or belief.

5. The Committee asked the Government to provide information on the practical application of the above provisions in cases where penalties involving compulsory labour are imposed, stating the number of sentences imposed for violations of the above provisions and giving details of any judicial decisions which assist in defining their exact scope. It also asked the Government to provide a copy of the Act respecting political parties, as amended; and to indicate any measures taken or envisaged to ensure that the legislation meets the requirements of the Convention.

6. The Committee noted the Government's indication in its 1994 report that all the provisions mentioned in the Committee's comments provide for penalties of imprisonment or detention which do not involve labour. It requests the Government once again to elaborate this point by indicating any legislative texts which ensure that persons convicted under the various legislative provisions mentioned above are not obliged to perform labour and by providing copies of any judicial decisions handed down regarding the above-mentioned provisions.

7. Communication of texts. In its earlier comments the Committee requested the Government to provide copies of: (a) the text repealing Proclamation No. 14 of 19 December 1956 on the organization of preventive detention camps; (b) the laws concerning the enforcement of arbitration awards, referred to in sections 102 and 104 of the Labour Code of 1981; (c) the full text of the Penal Code with amendments made to date. The Committee again expresses strongly the hope that the Government will provide these texts in the near future.