According to a statement issued by the NCHR, the council "anticipates the government’s full compliance with the political leadership’s directives, particularly regarding the importance of reducing the maximum periods of pretrial detention. The government must ensure that pre-trial detention never goes beyond being a necessary preventive measure that ensures the proper conduct of investigations. It also has to develop alternative measures to pretrial detention and ensure that it does not become a form of punishment.”

In its statement, the council further emphasized the urgency of implementing these recommendations, which resulted from a broad, inclusive, and specialized national dialogue.

On Wednesday, President El-Sisi directed the government to swiftly implement the National Dialogue's recommendations regarding reducing pretrial detention and reforming the criminal justice system

El-Sisi emphasized the need to shorten the maximum period of pretrial detention and to consider it as no more than a preventive measure used only when necessary for ongoing investigations.

Moreover, the NCHR's statement stressed the president's instructions to the government to find alternative detention options and compensate those wrongfully detained.

“The National Council for Human Rights values the presidential directive to refer the recommendations of the comprehensive national dialogue on pretrial detention and criminal justice to the government,” the statement read.

The NCHR acknowledged that these instructions by President El-Sisi build upon the progress made in civil and political rights.

“Additionally, the council appreciates the president's emphasis on the importance of providing financial and moral compensation and remedying harm for those subjected to unlawful pretrial detention,” the statement added.

“The council looks forward to continuing to take steps toward discussing and enacting the new Criminal Procedures Law, which is expected to be submitted to the House of Representatives at the beginning of the next legislative session.”

This law, the statement added, constitutes a significant milestone in modernizing Egypt's legislative thinking in the penal field. It also addresses concerns raised in recent years.

On Monday, the Board of Trustees of the National Dialogue – a national platform to address the country’s pressing issues – submitted 24 recommendations on pretrial detention and criminal justice reform to President El-Sisi.

This came following extensive discussions involving various political leaders, human rights advocates, and civil society representatives.

The proposed adjustments suggested that pretrial detention in crimes that carry the death penalty or life imprisonment be limited to 18 months rather than two years.

Furthermore, they proposed reducing the maximum period of pretrial detention for misdemeanours from six months to four.

For felonies, however, the amendments suggested reducing detention from 18 months to 12.