Egypt proposes law that would restrict the right to freedom of association

EGYPT PROTEST/ by oxfamnovib, on Flickr

By Katie Bacharach

The Washington Post has reported that the military-appointed interim government in Egypt has drafted legislation that would strictly regulate street protests. The law would grant authorities the power to cancel demonstrations or quickly escalate the use of lethal force for vague reasons, such as threats to public order. 

The proposed law has made pro-democracy activists and intellectuals wary of the intentions of the interim government. They are concerned that this is a sign the government is attempting to put an authoritarian regime in place similar to that of former President Hosni Mubarak, who used a sweeping emergency law and security apparatus to thwart demonstrations and dissidents.