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Democracy and social justice in the world.

Although we are only getting started, we aim to progressively extend our coverage of countries around the world.

  Egypt

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Egypt, a land of ancient history and vibrant culture, is also a nation navigating a complex path in its pursuit of democracy, justice, and social equity. While it has undergone significant political shifts in recent decades, challenges persist in establishing a fully inclusive and just society.

Egypt's political landscape has been marked by periods of both authoritarian rule and popular movements for democratic change. While a constitution exists and elections are held, the country's political system faces criticisms for limitations on political freedoms, restrictions on civil society organizations, and the suppression of dissent. The space for open political debate and independent journalism is often constrained, impacting the health of its democracy.

The justice system in Egypt also faces significant challenges. Concerns persist about due process, fair trials, and the independence of the judiciary. Cases of human rights abuses, arbitrary arrests, and prolonged detentions are frequently reported. Access to justice for marginalized communities is often limited, contributing to a cycle of inequality.

Social justice is another pressing issue in Egypt. Despite some economic progress, significant disparities in wealth and opportunities persist. Poverty rates remain high, especially in rural areas, and access to quality education, healthcare, and employment remains uneven. Discrimination based on gender, religious identity, and social class continue to hinder progress towards a more just society.

Economic reforms and development projects have been undertaken by the government, but their impact on reducing inequality remains debated. Moreover, environmental challenges, including water scarcity and pollution, disproportionately affect poorer communities.

Egypt is also a country with a very young and dynamic population, with a significant youth demographic that is increasingly demanding better opportunities, greater freedoms, and more transparent governance. There is a vibrant civil society, despite constraints, which continues to advocate for human rights and social justice.

The future of Egypt will depend on its ability to foster a more inclusive and accountable democracy, ensuring equitable access to justice for all, and address the root causes of social inequality. Balancing economic progress with the protection of civil liberties and human rights will be crucial for achieving a more stable, prosperous, and just society.

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Egypt — Democracy Index (2022)
2.93
Full democracyFlawed democracyHybrid regimeAuthoritarian regime
Egypt — Press Freedom Index (2022)
30.23
GoodSatisfactoryProblematicDifficultVery Serious

Freedom House: country profile for Egypt

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who first took power in a 2013 coup, has governed Egypt in an increasingly authoritarian manner. Meaningful political opposition is virtually nonexistent, as expressions of dissent can draw criminal prosecution and imprisonment. Civil liberties, including press freedom and freedom of assembly, are tightly restricted. Security forces engage in human rights abuses and extrajudicial killing with impunity. Discrimination against women, LGBT+ people, and other groups remain serious problems, as do high rates of sexual and gender-based violence.
Egypt — Freedom House Global freedom index (2023)
18
FreePartly FreeNot Free

Freedom House: internet freedom in Egypt

Internet freedom and the rights of internet users are severely constrained in Egypt. The Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) continued to manipulate the media landscape by blocking independent news sites and forcing publishers to remove online content deemed critical of the government. Criminal penalties, harassment, and surveillance have contributed to high levels of self-censorship among Egyptian internet users, particularly independent media outlets and government critics. Authorities continued their practice of “recycling” detainees, and some journalists, activists, and bloggers who were imprisoned on earlier charges were resentenced during the coverage period.
Egypt — Freedom House Internet freedom index (2022)
27
FreePartly FreeNot Free

Egypt

Egypt is considered to be a regional power in North Africa, the Middle East and the Muslim world, and a middle power worldwide. It is a developing country having a diversified economy, which is the third-largest in Africa the 41st-largest economy by nominal GDP, and the 20th-largest globally by PPP.

Politics of Egypt

The politics of Egypt takes place within the framework of a republican semi-presidential system of government. The current political system was established following the 2013 Egyptian military coup d'état, and the takeover of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Human rights in Egypt

Human rights in Egypt are guaranteed by the Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt under the various articles of Chapter 3. The country is also a party to numerous international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. However, the state of human rights in the country has been criticized both in the past and the present, especially by foreign human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Egyptian Organization for Human Rights

The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR), founded in April 1985 and with its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, is a non-profit NGO and one of the longest-standing bodies for the defense of human rights in Egypt. It investigates, monitors, and reports on human rights violations and defends people's rights regardless of the identity, gender or color of the victim.

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