afrol News, 20 March - Despite the protest and boycott of parliamentary proceedings by opposition deputies, the Egyptian parliament on Monday went ahead to pass constitutional amendments expected to entrench the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) of President Hosni Mubarak to cling to power.

But the 34 amendments will only become legal after they have been approved by a referendum to be held soon.

"The constitutional majority required to pass the bill has been achieved," the Speaker of parliament, Fathi Sorour, said after 315 deputies of the 454 lower house of parliament had voted in favour of the laws.

The ruling party members - which totally dominate the Cairo parliament - celebrated the developments with cheers and singing of nationalist songs.

The said amendment outlaws politics of religion as well as it gives sweeping powers to security forces through an anti-terrorism clause, which mandates them to monitor private communications.

Most people said the amendments seek to ban the country's largest opposition, the Muslim Brotherhood, from increasing its members in parliament, which eventually creates problems for the ruling party. The amendments also give less power to judges to supervise elections.

For some, President Mubarak is embarking on a move so that his son, Gamal, may succeed him to the throne without encountering too many hurdles.

But the Cairo government defended its amendments, describing it as part of the political reforms, although rights activists considered it as a severe erosion of human rights since 1981, when emergency laws were put in place after former President Anwar Sadat was assassinated.

The leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in parliament, Mohamed el-Katany, said the walkout was done to show people that NDP members bear the sole responsibility for the undemocratic reforms.

While session was going on, the aggrieved opposition members waived yellow banners, depicting the killing of free elections and political freedoms in Egypt, protested outside the parliament.

Before walking out, an independent MP, Alaa Abdel-Moneim, told his colleagues in the ruling bench thus: "judgment day will be tough for you."

Abdel-Ahad Gamaleddin, the majority leader in parliament, blamed the opposition for what he called intellectual terrorism.

In a statement, a consortium of Egyptian politicians and intellectuals said the amendments sought to protect the interest of the Mubarak regime.

"The amendments are aimed at facilitating the transmission of power in Egypt and turning the regime into a hereditary and dynastic monarchy," the statement read, adding that it was criminal to consolidate laws that seek to monopolise power and wealth of those who proposed and legislate them.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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