Egypt

Baroness Falkner of Margravine Excerpts

Thursday 27th March 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

It is important to reiterate that the justice system in Egypt should be seen to be both transparent and fair. As my noble friend pointed out a moment ago, certain people have been tried in absentia. It is important that we see openness and justice being served. To mention the Al-Jazeera journalists specifically, we have raised our concerns about cases of freedom of expression at the most senior level with the Egyptian Government in recent days, and the Foreign Secretary discussed them with other European Foreign Ministers at the European Foreign Affairs Council. I reiterate that the UK believes that a free and robust press, alongside other matters, is the bedrock of democracy, and an open, transparent and fair justice system is also an important part of the democratic process.

[Baroness Falkner of Margravine (LD)]

My Lords, my noble friend will be aware that the proposed new Egyptian constitution also privileges military trials for civilians, irrespective of whether they are military employees. What representations are the Government making on this aspect of the constitution, which will allow for more miscarriages of justice, rather than fewer?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

The constitution in Egypt is primarily something that we should leave to the Egyptian people. We should be ensuring that there is fairness and a pluralist democracy in place. The Egyptians have promoted the fact that there was 98% agreement to the constitution, but this is on the basis of only 38% participation. One positive element that comes out of the constitution, which I am sure my noble friend acknowledges, is that minority groups and minority interests are well protected, and that is a welcome development.