Parliament approves law granting select military officials immunity

CAIRO – 16 July 2018: The Egyptian Parliament gave a final approval Monday to a law giving select military officials diplomatic immunity while travelling outside the country along their term as called-up military figures.

The law protects military officials named by a presidential decree from being interrogated or sued for “any action committed” during their service or because of their service since the former constitution was suspended in 2013, until the Parliament elected in 2015 started his mission.

Only 8 parliamentarians rejected the law introduced by the Cabinet.

The 7-article law stipulates that the selected former officials would be called up again to serve the armed forces for their entire lives. In case the former official was found holding a non-military job, he will be called up after his job is done.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for taking the required procedures to give the select officials diplomatic immunity.

The select officials who had not served as ministers or taken up a higher post before they were called up would be treated as ministers and would subsequently have all ministerial benefits and rights, according to the law.

Moreover, the Egyptian President would determine the other grants given to these officials. In case they already receive grants based on another law, they can still receive the grants given to them based on the newly-approved law.

The law will come into effect the following day after it is published in Egypt’s Official Gazette.


On July, 3, 2013, Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi, the defense minister at the time announced suspending the 2012 constitution issued during the Muslim Brotherhood’s rule, and the ousting of the MB affiliated former President Mohamed Morsi to meet the June 30 revolution top demand.

Following the political turmoil caused by Morsi supporters especially before the dispersal of their mass sit-ins in Rabaa Al-Adaweya and Al-Nahda squares, Sisi, the incumbent president announced in March, 2014, resigning from his post as the defense minister and running for president.

In January 2016, the current Parliament started its first session about two months after it was elected, and Ali Abdel Aal was chosen by the members as the Parliament speaker.

Earlier in July, Abdel Aal justified the law, saying that the military officials stand by people during revolutions adding that people had to seek honoring the military personnel. He said that people can reap the rewards of the revolution thanks to the support of the military officials.