U.S. Copts Association

By  Hesham Allam, Shaimaa Adel   

Can People’s Assembly assimilate a law on equal opportunities and banning discrimination among citizens, at the time its members did not accept the statement of Ministry of Justice: ‘In the name of Allah Whom we all worship?’” 

 This was a question addressed to Mona Zul Feqar, attorney and member of national council of human rights, by one of the attendees of the seminar organized by ‘Egyptians against discrimination’ during discussion of the draft law of ‘equal opportunities and banning discrimination among citizens’.
The draft law calls for the principle of equal opportunity and banning discrimination among citizens on the basis of race, religion, social status or health condition.  

The general concept of the principles of equal opportunities   has to be turned into legislative rules that impose definite obligations and penalize violators.Â

This will guarantee the application of equal opportunities and banning discrimination among citizens, which are prohibited by the constitutions through effective institutional mechanisms of monitoring the implementation of the law.

The draft law states establishing institutional mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the law, and obligating public and private state institutions to set and implement the plan of achieving these principles on ground. 

It also indicates unveiling violations and taking deterrent procedures to stop such violations and get the victims the suitable compensations.

The draft law mentions that it is not allowed for advertisements of job vacancies to put conditions that include a direct or non direct discrimination against citizens on the basis of race, religion, social status or handicap. 

The draft law requires employers to provide suitable work conditions and facilities for all citizens with no discrimination among men and women, so that they can both combine between their positions and paternity and maternity duties. 

The draft law prohibits discrimination against citizens of special needs or handicapped, and stipulates on providing them special facilities that will enable them to perform their job.

Zul Feqar expressed her hope that the draft law will be approved and said that it will include monitoring mechanisms to guarantee implementation and penalizing violators. 

She pointed out that the committee of equal opportunities and combating discrimination is composed of 11 to 15 full-time members who fulfill the requirements and conditions of independence, impartiality, good reputation and experience in the field of human rights.