Part II. Rights and Freedoms
Chapter 1. Personal rights
Article 31. Dignity and the prohibition against insults
Dignity is the right of every human being. The state and society guarantee respect for dignity and its protection.
Insulting or showing contempt toward any human being is prohibited.
Article 32. Nationality
Egyptian nationality is a right. It is organized by law.
Article 33. Equality in public rights and duties
All citizens are equal before the law. They have equal public rights and duties. There can be no discrimination between them in that regard.
Article 34. Personal freedom
Personal freedom is a natural right. It is safeguarded and inviolable.
Article 35. Due process
Except in cases of flagrante delicto, no person may be arrested, searched, detained, prevented from free movement or prevented from exercising his freedoms except under a justified court order that will require an investigation.
Any person whose freedom has been restricted for these reasons must be informed of the reasons in writing within 12 hours, and be presented to the investigating authority within 24 hours from the time in which his freedom was restricted. He can only be interrogated in the presence of his lawyer. He will be provided with a lawyer when needed.
All persons whose freedoms have been restricted, and others, have the right of appeal to the courts against the measure of arrest. The matter must be decided within a week. If the matter is not decided within a week, release becomes imperative.
The law organizes the rules for temporary detention, its duration and its causes, and the cases in which an individual is entitled to compensation, whether for temporary detention or for a sentence carried out that a court final ruling has revoked.
Article 36. Treatment during arrest or detention
Any person arrested, detained or whose freedom is restricted in any way, is treated in a manner preserving his dignity. He may not be tortured, nor may he be compelled, nor may he be physically or morally harmed.
Individuals can only be detained or arrested in places that are humanely and hygienically suitable, and subject to judicial supervision.
The violation of any of the foregoing is an offense punishable by law.
Any statement proved to have been made by a person under any of the aforementioned forms of duress, or pursuant to a threat, is considered invalid and cannot be relied upon.
Article 37. Prison
Prison is a place of discipline, correction and reform. It is subject to judicial supervision. Anything that violates human dignity or a person’s health is prohibited.
The state is responsible for the rehabilitation of convicts and facilitating for them a dignified life after their release.
Article 38. Sanctity of correspondence
The private life of citizens is inviolable. Its secrecy is guaranteed. Postal correspondence, wires, electronic correspondence, telephone calls and other means of communication may not be confiscated.
They cannot be monitored except for a limited period of time and in situations that are set out by law, and based on a justified judicial warrant.
Article 39. The inviolability of homes
Homes are inviolable. With the exception of cases of immediate danger and distress, they may not be entered, searched or monitored, except in cases defined by law, and by a justified judicial warrant which specifies the place, timing and purpose. Those in a home are alerted before the home is entered or searched.
Article 40. Right to safety
All residents have a right to a safe life which is guaranteed by the state. The law protects the individual against criminal phenomena.
Article 41. Inviolability of the human body
The human body is inviolable, and the trafficking of human organs prohibited. No person may be subjected to any medical or scientific experiment without free, documented consent, and in accordance with the established foundations of medical science, and in the manner organized by law.
Article 42. Freedom of movement
Freedom of movement, residence and immigration is guaranteed.
No citizen may be deported from or prevented from returning to the country.
No citizen may be prevented from leaving the country, nor placed under house arrest, except by virtue of a justified judicial warrant, and for a limited period of time.
Chapter 2. Civil and political rights
Article 43. Freedom of belief
The freedom of belief is inviolable.
The state guarantees the freedom to practice religious rites and to establish places of worship for the divine religions. This is as organized by law.
Article 44. Blasphemy
Defaming all religious messengers and prophets is prohibited.
Article 45. Freedom of thought and opinion
The freedom of thought and opinion is guaranteed.
Every individual has the right to express an opinion and to disseminate it verbally, in writing or illustration, or by any other means of publication and expression.
Article 46. Freedom of creativity
Freedom of creativity in its various forms is the right of every citizen.
The state advances science, the arts and literature. The state sponsors creators and inventors, protects their creations and innovations, and works to apply them for the benefit of society.
The state takes the necessary measures to preserve the nation’s cultural heritage. The state works to promote cultural services.
Article 47. Access to information
Access to information, data, statistics and documents, its disclosure and circulation, is a right guaranteed by the state to all citizens, on the condition that this does not violate the sanctity of private life or the rights of others, and that it does not conflict with national security.
The law organizes the rules for filing and archiving public documents, the means to access information, appeals against a refusal to disclose information, and the consequent accountability for refusing to disclose information.
Article 48. Freedom of the press
The freedom of the press, printing, publication and mass media is guaranteed. The media is free and independent to serve society and to express various trends in public opinion, and contribute to shaping and directing public opinion in the context of the state and society’s main components, and in the context of the preservation of rights, freedoms and public duties, of the respect for the sanctity of the private lives of citizens and the requirements of national security. The closure, prohibition or confiscation of media outlets is prohibited except with a court order.
It is prohibited to monitor whatever media outlets publish. An exception is permitted in the case of limited censorship that may be imposed in times of war or public mobilization.
Article 49. Freedom to own and establish newspapers
Freedom to publish and own newspapers of all kinds is guaranteed subject to notification for every natural or moral Egyptian person.
The law organizes the establishment of radio stations, television broadcasting and digital media.
Article 50. Freedom of assembly
Citizens have the right to organize public meetings, processions and peaceful demonstrations. They must be unarmed and must provide notification as regulated by law.
The right to private assembly is guaranteed without the need to provide notification. Security personnel may not attend or intercept such private meetings.
Article 51. Right to establish associations
Citizens have the right to establish associations and civil institutions, subject to notification. Such institutions operate freely, and have legal personality.
The authorities may not disband them or their administrative bodies without a court order, in the manner prescribed by law.
Article 52. Right to form syndicates
The right to form syndicates, unions and cooperatives is guaranteed. They have legal personality, be formed on a democratic basis, operate freely, participate in the service of the community, and in raising the standard of efficiency among their members, and defending their rights.
Authorities may not disband them or their boards other than based on a court order.
Article 53. Trade unions
The law organizes professional trade unions, their management on a democratic basis, determines its assets, and the manner in which its members are to be held accountable for their conduct, which should be in accordance with professional codes of ethics. One trade union is allowed per profession.
Authorities may not disband the boards of trade unions except with a court order, and may not place them under sequestration.
Article 54. Right to address public authorities
Every individual has the right to address public authorities in writing and under his own signature.
Addressing public authorities should not be in the name of groups, with the exception of legal persons.
Article 55. Citizen participation in public life
Citizen participation in public life is a national duty. Every citizen has the right to vote, run for elections, and express opinions in referendums. The law organizes the direct application of these rights.
The state is responsible for the inclusion of the name of every citizen who satisfies the conditions to vote in a voters’ registry and must do so automatically.
The state ensures the validity, impartiality and integrity of referendums and elections. Interference in any of the foregoing is a crime punishable by law.
Article 56. Egyptians living abroad
The state safeguards the interests of Egyptians living abroad, protects them and protects their rights and freedoms, assists them perform their public duties toward the Egyptian state and society, and encourages their contribution to the development of the nation.
Their participation in elections and referendums is organized by law.
Article 57. Asylum
The state grants asylum to foreigners who are deprived in their country of the public rights and freedoms that are guaranteed by this Constitution.
Extradition of political refugees is prohibited.
All of the foregoing is in accordance with what the law organizes.
Chapter 3. Economic and social rights
Article 58. Right to Education
Every citizen has the right to high quality education. It is free throughout its stages in all government institutions and is obligatory in the primary stage. The state works to extend that obligation to other stages.
The state supports and encourages technical education, and oversees education in all its forms. The state allocates sufficient percentage from the national revenue to technical education.
All educational institutions, public and private, local and otherwise abide by the state’s educational plans and objectives, with a view to creating a link between education and the needs of society and production.
Article 59. Freedom of scientific research
Freedom of scientific research is guaranteed. Universities, scientific and linguistic academies, and research centers are independent. The state provides them with a sufficient percentage of the national revenue.
Article 60. The Arabic language and religious education
The Arabic language is a primary subject in all stages of education in all educational institutions.
Religious education and national history are core subjects of pre-university education in all its forms.
Universities are committed to the teaching of morals and ethics relating to various disciplines.
Article 61. Eradication of illiteracy
The state develops a comprehensive plan to eradicate illiteracy in all age groups, for males and females. The state will implement this plan with society’s participation within 10 years from the date of the Constitution.
Article 62. Healthcare
Healthcare is a right of every citizen. The state allocates a sufficient percentage of the national revenue to healthcare.
The state provides healthcare services and health insurance in accordance with just and high standards, to be free of charge for indigents.
All health facilities provide various forms of medical treatment to every citizen in cases of emergency or danger to the life of a person.
The state supervises all health facilities, inspect them for quality of services, and monitor all materials, products and means of health-related publicity. Legislation will be issued and measures will be passed to put such supervision into effect.
Article 63. Environment
Each individual is entitled to live in a healthy and sound environment. The state commits to maintaining and protecting the environment from pollution, to make use of natural resources in way that does not damage the environment and safeguard the rights of future generations.
Article 64. Right to work
Work is a right, duty and honor for every citizen, guaranteed by the state on the basis of the principles of equality, justice and equal opportunities.
There can be no forced labor except in accordance with law.
Public sector employees work in the service of the people. The state employs citizens on the basis of merit, without nepotism or mediation. Any violation of the foregoing is a crime punishable by law.
The state guarantees for every worker the right to fair pay, vacation, retirement and social security, healthcare, protection against occupational hazards, and the application of occupational safety conditions in the workplace, in accordance with the law.
Workers may not be dismissed except in those situations that are set out by law.
Striking peacefully is a right which is organized by law.
Article 65. Martyrs
The state honors the martyrs of the 25 January Revolution as well as martyrs of war and of national duty, as well as the wounded. The state supports their families, as well as the injured and war veterans, the families of those disappeared during war, and similar cases. They, their children and their wives are prioritised in employment opportunities.
The foregoing is organized by law.
Article 66. Social security
The state provides social security services.
All citizens have the right to social security if they are unable to support themselves and their families in case of incapacity, unemployment or old age, such that they are guaranteed a minimum standard of living.
Article 67. Pensions for farmers and others
The state works to provide an adequate pension for small-scale farmers, agricultural workers, casual workers, and all who do not have access to the social insurance system.
This is organized by law.
Article 68. Adequate housing, clean water and healthy food
Adequate housing, clean water and healthy food are guaranteed rights.
The state adopts a national housing plan, which is based on social justice, the promotion of independent initiatives and housing cooperatives, and the regulation of the use of national territory for the purposes of construction, in accordance with the public interest and with the rights of future generations.
Article 69. Right to play sports
The right to play sports is a right that belongs to everyone.
The state and society strive to discover talented athletes and support them, and take the necessary measures to encourage exercise.
Article 70. Rights of the child
Every child, from the moment of birth, has the right to a proper name, family care, basic nutrition, shelter, health services, and religious, emotional and cognitive development.
The state commits to caring and protecting the child in case he loses his family. The state also guarantees the rights of disabled children, and their rehabilitation and integration into society.
Child labor is prohibited before passing the age of compulsory education, in jobs that are not fit for a child’s age, or that prevent the child from continuing education.
A child may only be detained for a limited period, and he must be provided with legal assistance, and be detained in an appropriate location, in which children must be separated according to gender, age and type of crime, and be held away from places of adult detention.
Article 71. Care for children and youth
The state guarantees care for children and youth; supports their spiritual, moral, cultural, educational, physical, psychological, social and economic development. The state enables them to engage in active political participation.
Article 72. People with disabilities
The state commits to providing people with disabilities with health, educational, economic and social care, and provides them with employment opportunities, raises social awareness on their situation, and adapts public facilities to suit their needs.
Article 73. Oppression, exploitation and sex trafficking
All forms of oppression, exploitation and sex trafficking are prohibited and criminalized by law.
Chapter 4. Guarantees for the protection of rights and freedoms
Article 74. The rule of law
The rule of law is the basis for governance in the state.
The independence of the judiciary and the immunity of judges are two basic guarantees to safeguard rights and freedoms.
Article 75. Right to litigate
The right to litigation is inalienable and guaranteed for all.
The state commits to making judicial institutions accessible and to encouraging a rapid decision making process.
It is prohibited to isolate any act or administrative decision from judicial oversight.
No person can be tried except before his natural judge. Exceptional courts are prohibited.
Article 76. Punishment
Penalty is personalized. There can be no crime or penalty except by virtue of the Constitution or the law. No penalty can be inflicted except by virtue of a court decision. Penalties are inflicted only for acts committed after the promulgation of the relevant law.
Article 77. Due process
Except for situations set out by law, criminal prosecutions must be based on an order from the relevant judicial body.
A defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a legal and fair trial, and in which he is granted the right of defense. Every person accused of a felony must have a lawyer to defend him. The law determines the minor offenses for which a defense lawyer is also required.
The law organizes the process of appealing decisions relating to felonies and offenses.
The state provides protection for victims of crime, witnesses, defendants and informants where necessary.
Article 78. Right to defense
The right of defense in person or by proxy is guaranteed.
The law guarantees for indigents the means to resort to the courts and to defend their rights before the courts.
Article 79. Preventing or delaying the implementation of court decisions
Court decisions are issued and enforced in the name of the people. It is a crime punishable by law for the relevant civil servant to prevent or delay the implementation of a court decision. In such a situation, a person who has a sentence issued in his favor has the right to lodge a direct criminal action before the relevant court.
Article 80. The absence of state of limitations
Any violation of any of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution is a crime for which there is no statute of limitation. The state guarantees fair compensation to the victim of such encroachment.
The injured party has the right to lodge a direct criminal action.
The National Council for Human Rights informs the Public Prosecution of any violation of these rights, may join the injured party in a civil action, and may appeal on his behalf.
Article 81. Limitations clause
The rights and freedoms inherent in the citizen’s person cannot be suspended or detracted from.
No law may regulate the exercise of these rights or freedoms in a way that constrains their origin and essence.
Rights and freedoms are to be exercised in a way that is consistent with the components that are set out in the Chapter on the state and Society in this Constitution.
