Two years ago, Egypt held elections for a new parliament, returning a legislature to the country following the military-led ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood-run government in 2013. The vote was marred by very low turnout and by reports of extensive state interference to assure the victory of candidates loyal to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

A new POMED fact sheet, “Egypt’s Antidemocratic Parliament,” illustrates how Egypt’s pro-regime parliament is playing a central role in constructing the legal scaffolding of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s increasing authoritarian rule. In its nearly two years of work, this parliament has been active in passing laws that strip Egyptians of their rights and freedoms and lashing out against critics. The fact sheet describes the antidemocratic laws approved by the parliament to date; the repressive legislation that is pending debate in its current session; and MPs’ actions and statements against democratic values and those defending them.

This fact sheet is also available in a PDF version.


Additional Resources on Repression in Egypt: