In a pivotal move, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has declined to sign a draft of the new Criminal Code, a decision that has been met with applause from over 20 human rights organizations. The President’s refusal to endorse the draft, which contains contentious provisions such as making final criminal rulings non-appealable, marks a significant moment in Egypt's legal and human rights landscape. This refusal sends the draft back to the House of Representatives (HOR) for substantial revisions.

The criticized article, Article 242, was a major sticking point for President Sisi, who argued that it contradicts the principles of justice and violates international human rights treaties to which Egypt is a party. The HOR has responded by scheduling an urgent session on October 1 to discuss the President’s concerns, a session that will also include the Prime Minister.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Commission of Jurists, have been vocal critics of the draft Code. They have condemned its provisions for undermining the rule of law and violating privacy rights—specifically highlighting how the Code allows for the recording of private conversations. These groups had earlier urged the Egyptian parliament to reject the proposal outright and start anew, emphasizing the draft’s disregard for basic human rights.

Local and international attention surged when the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies revealed in December 2024 that the draft Code erodes judicial fairness and transparency. This was followed by criticism from the UN Human Rights Office in May 2025, after the HOR passed the draft internally.

Further exacerbating concerns, the Egyptian Commission of Rights and Freedoms outlined that the proposed Code would legitimize judicial practices that threaten fair trial guarantees. These practices include restrictions on accessing case files, denying defendants the right to have a lawyer present, and infringing upon the public’s right to a transparent trial.

Moreover, the draft Code proposed to continue alarming practices such as extending police immunity, preventing direct charges against officers, and allowing prosecutors to unduly extend pre-trial detentions. However, it also included recommendations aimed at tackling corruption and improving regulations around torture and pre-trial detentions, following suggestions from the 2023 National Dialogue.

The President’s decision not to sign the draft Code signifies a crucial acknowledgment of these myriad concerns and represents a potential turning point for Egypt’s commitment to upholding justice and human rights standards. As the HOR revisits the draft, the global community and local rights groups remain watchful and hopeful for a revised Code that aligns more closely with international human rights norms.