Egyptian reforms

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32705, 7 September 1971, Page 17

Egyptian reforms

CNZP-A.-Reuter—Copyright) CAIRO, Sept 6. Egyptians are promised personal freedom as a natural right in a wide range of social reforms included in a new draft constituted to be put to them in a nation-wide referendum next Saturday. Eight million registered electors are asked to say “yes” or "no” to the first permanent constitution since President Gamal Abdel

Nasser revoked the former monarchist laws after ousting King Farouk in 1952. The broad lines were disclosed today. The main theme is the "supremacy of law” and personal freedom. This has been a constant theme of President Sadat since Colonel Nasser’s death almost a year ago. The new constitution was being published and voted on as a number of disgraced political leaders, among them the former Vice-President, Aly Sabry, stood trial for an alleged plot to overthrow President Sadat. The trial of the 12 prin-

cipal accused, who also include former ministers Sharawy Gomaa (interior) and Mohamed Fayek (information), continued behind closed, doors today. The prosecution has asked for the death sentence for nine and hard labour for life for the others. Whatever the outcome of the trial, President Sadat was seen as anxious to consolidate his own new ■ style of government and institute reforms while his principal former rivals were under lock and key. In' another popular move last week he ordered that the country should again be called Egypt The ancient name was lost under the old official title of “United Arab Republic” to which President Nasser clung after the breakup of the former union with Syria. This has now been replaced by a tripartite federation between Egypt, Syria and Libya which was given 99.95 per cent backing in an Egyptian referendum last Mr Sadat has also released some hundreds of political prisoners, mainly extreme Left-wingers and members of the Right-wing Moslem Brotherhood. The draft new constitution says that nobody can be held in future without trial and access to lawyers. "Personal freedom is a natural right and shall be maintained,” says one article of the new constitution. No (person under arrest shall be tortured or mistreated and “a person shall be deemed innocent until he is proved guilty.” The constitution stresses the "sanctity of the home” and says that any Egyptian who wishes can emigrate.

It also provides for freedom of the press and other information media.

The rigid censorship applied to foreign correspondents under the Nasser regime has already been considerably relaxed, and the draft constitution says this will also apply to the local press except under exceptional circumstances such as war or a state of emergency. This would undoubtedly apply to the present situation. The constitution says that such surveillance methods as telephone bugging must ston. President ’ Sadat recently said that he uncovered a vast network of telephone-tapping organised by ministers and officials now on trial.