Egypt tightens laws against begging

CAIRO – 26 September 2024: The negative phenomenon of begging has become a common sight on streets and public transportation in Egypt. While no official report accurately tracks the number of habitual beggars or the total incidents of begging crimes, recent studies from the National Center for Social and Criminal Research show that Cairo has the highest number of beggars, with an estimated 4,000 to 5,000. Alexandria follows, with around 1,600. Many citizens wonder how the law addresses this issue. Here’s a breakdown of the penalties under Egyptian law for begging.

Abdullah Al-Maghazi, a professor of constitutional law, explained that under Egyptian law, begging is classified as a misdemeanor, and penalties vary based on each case. Law No. 49 of 1933 outlines several articles detailing penalties for begging:

Article 1: A sentence of up to two months in prison is imposed on any able-bodied person, male or female, aged 15 or older, found begging in public places or pretending to perform services, display games, or sell goods.

Article 2: A one-month prison sentence applies to any disabled person found begging under the same circumstances mentioned in Article 1, especially if shelters are available and accessible.

Article 3: A sentence of up to three months in prison is imposed on beggars who fake injuries or disabilities or use any fraudulent means to evoke public sympathy.

Article 4: The same three-month penalty applies to any person who enters a house or adjacent property without permission for the purpose of begging.

Article 5: Any beggar found in possession of items worth more than 200 piasters and unable to prove their source also faces the same penalty.

Article 6: The penalty is extended to:

Anyone who encourages minors under the age of 15 to beg.

Anyone who uses a child or hands them over to another for the purpose of begging. If the beggar is a guardian or custodian of the child, the sentence is extended to 3-6 months.

Article 7: For repeat offenders, the prison sentence increases to up to one year.

Article 8: In cases where a disabled beggar is convicted, the judge can order their placement in a shelter after serving the sentence.

Al-Maghazi emphasized to Youm7 the importance of tightening penalties to deter begging. He suggested extending the prison sentence to three years and requiring beggars to engage in productive work while in correctional institutions, with an emphasis on vocational training to rehabilitate them.