Egypt's National Dialogue to present list of detainees for presidential pardon consideration

CAIRO – 21 July 2024: The National Dialogue will hold discussions on Tuesday regarding the file of pretrial detention, including its duration and potential alternatives.

The dialogue's board of trustees announced in a statement on Saturday that recommendations will be issued to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, along with a list of detainees for his consideration.

During the session, the National Dialogue will examine the situation of pretrial detainees in cases involving multiple and recurring crimes.

Additionally, the dialogue will address compensatory measures for detainees who have been subjected to faulty pretrial detention and will review regulations concerning travel bans.

The statement emphasized that discussions on this topic are linked to the priorities of national work in the upcoming period.

The board will consider the rules governing pretrial detention as a crucial component of the National Strategy for Human Rights, the statement added.

Hundreds of releases

In recent years, the Egyptian prosecution has released hundreds of pretrial detainees, and many others have received presidential pardons since President Sisi called for the National Dialogue and reactivated the Presidential Pardon Committee in April 2022.

The board of the National Dialogue has consistently advocated for the release of pretrial detainees, including those who were recently arrested for engaging in activities that support the Palestinian people during the ongoing war in Gaza.

President Sisi has previously pledged to ratify the decisions of the National Dialogue “without restrictions or conditions within the framework of his powers as outlined in the constitution and the law.”

“I will approve all outcomes of the National Dialogue on the political, economic, and social tracks that fall within my jurisdiction,” he stated.

He added that other outcomes that do not fall under the powers of the president and the government will be referred to Parliament for consideration by the representatives of the people.

Over the past year, the National Dialogue has put forth numerous demands to the president in the realms of social, political, and economic matters.

Launched in April 2022 in response to President Sisi's call, the National Dialogue aims to address pressing issues across various fields, with the participation of politicians, NGOs, and diverse segments of society.