Egypt’s new law regulating Elderly rights witnessed fruitful cooperation between authorities: Parliamentarian

CAIRO – 4 April 2022: The Law regulating the Elderly Rights in Egypt has seen fruitful cooperation between legislative and executive authorities, Member of Parliament Ahmed Fathi said.

The Egyptian government issued a law, which was sent to the Senate and then returned to be voted upon in a plenary session at the Parliament.  

“The Parliament was keen on the presence of the greatest advantages in the Elderly Rights Law, which was subject to societal debate,” Fathi added in a phone call with Nine O’ Clock TV show, presented by Youssef el-Housseini on Egyptian Channel.

Fathi, who is also a member of the Committee of Parties’ Youth Leaders and Politicians (CPYP), continued that community dialogue sessions were held, and field visits to cafes and clubs to ask the elderly people about the advantages guaranteed in the new law, and what are the advantages they are looking for.  

Fathi pointed out that, in order to facilitate the provision of services to the elderly, a special window has been allocated for them in the private and government sectors. He added that the age of an elderly person starts from 65 years old, explaining that the law provides health care, pension and social solidarity to them.  

Fathi further highlighted the amendments carried out in the law regulating the practice of civil work by extending a year to legalize the conditions of civil associations. He described the amendments as “translating the interests of the state and its keenness to extend the umbrella of civil work and support these institutions.”

He also explained that the coming period will witness awareness campaigns in this regard, noting that there are 32,000 civil societies that have submitted their papers, while those who successfully reconciled and legalized their status reached 28,000 institutions. It is expected that those who applied for their papers will be completed as soon as the law is ratified. .

He said that the Corona pandemic contributed to disrupting the procedures of civil institutions to adjust their conditions, and by extending this period, it is expected that many institutions will submit their papers.

He stressed that the protocol comes within the framework of the "solidarity" strategy that aims to develop the Egyptian family and empower the most vulnerable groups, and there is an office for CPYP in each governorate, and an office in the Ministry of Social Solidarity in each governorate.

More about the Elderly Law:

In November 2021, Egypt’s senate committees are to discuss new draft law regarding the elderly rights which was submitted by the government after being proposed by member of parliament Abdel Hadi Al-Qasabi along with ten members.

Under the new proposed draft law, the government should be obligated to protect the rights of the elderly stipulated in this law, or in any other law, which includes:

- Ensuring that elderly people are enjoying all rights included in international agreements and charters ratified by the government.

- Ensuring the right to life, food, drink, clothing, along with an appropriate housing according to thier their age and health.

 - Commitment to respecting their freedom and choices by of their own independent will.

- Non-discrimination between the elderly on the basic of age or religion.

- Securing effective equality in the enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in all fields and removing all obstacles that may face them in this regard.

- ensuring that they are living a decent, suitable life, within a framework of respect for human dignity.

- Enabling the use of public facilities and services.

- Ensuring access to information, freedom of expression and opinion, along with enjoying other basic public and private freedoms.

- Ensure the right to psychological care and rehabilitation, and the right to community rehabilitation and empowerment.

- The right to exercise, participate in the cultural and recreational activities.

- Participation in political and social life, and the right to legal and judicial protection.

- Establishing a fund for “Elderly Care”, which will have a public legal personality, and be affiliated with the competent ministry, under the supervision of the Prime Minister.