ICC Note: The Free Egyptians Party submitted a draft proposal to parliament  on Monday regarding church permits and protection. Article 235 of the proposal is to call for the reform of current law restricting the building/upkeep of Christian Churches. All this comes in the wake of sectarian conflict largely surrounding the destruction of churches and other Christian property. The law comprises of 18 articles that outlines the proper means for permit approval processes as well as specific prison sentences and judicial action to be taken against those that interfere with the construction of or destroy churches.

07/27/2016 Egypt (Daily News Egypt): Amid pressing demands for the parliament to issue a law on the construction of churches, the Free Egyptians Party (FEP) submitted a draft proposal to the parliament.

Article 235 of the Constitution called for reform of the issuance of building permits for churches. “The parliament should issue a law regulating the construction and renovation of churches, so as to ensure the freedom of Christians to practise their religious rites,” the article stated.

According to the proposal FEP released Monday, the law comprises 18 articles. It states that a maximum period of four months is required to respond to a request to obtain permission for the construction of a church; otherwise the request shall be considered approved. This came in  Article 4 of FEP’s draft law.

The article further adds that once the permit is approved it cannot be reversed, and if rejected, the reasons must be clearly explained. In Article 10, the draft suggests that the suspension of church construction or activities, or the demolition of the building cannot occur without judicial order.

Moreover, the FEP demanded prison penalties for “anyone who obstructs the construction of a church or demolishes it”.

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II met Monday with the parliamentary Religious Committee, following violent clashes between Muslims and Christians in Minya and Beni Suef last week. He advised against the issuing of an “unsatisfying law” on the construction of churches, local press reported.

The pope also warned about escalating frustration among Copts regarding mounting incidents of sectarian assaults in Upper Egypt. Several mob attacks on Copts stemmed from rejection of “constructing churches” in their neighbourhoods, even if the construction was only rumoured…

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