Legalizing repression : how repressive regimes use the law to legitimize civil and political rights violations, to ensure impunity and to undermine democracy and the rule of law. The case of Egypt

Abstract

Some countries, such as Egypt, use laws to cover human rights violations and restrict civil and political rights. Before the revolution in 2011, the legislative structure in Egypt was compatible to a large extent with international human rights law while human rights violations occurred by breaking such laws. After the 2011 revolution, the Egyptian regime has been codifying a new legislative structure to put a legal cover for human rights violations and undermine the foundations of democracy and the rule of law principles. The Egyptian regime adopted tight legislative policies to undermine the climate of freedom after the revolution. There are many forms of violations indicated in laws. Violations of Egyptian law over the past period have multiplied restrictions on public sphere, violations of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, circulation of information, undermining the right to a fair trial, codifying more extraordinary trials, codifying the crimes of torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, and ending with the amendment of the Constitution to strengthen dictatorship, undermine the judiciary, coup d 'état and military trials.