The 50-member Committee will do what its conscience dictates: Nassar

Ahram Online, Wednesday 4 Sep 2013

Member of the 50-committee Gaber Nassar criticised the suspended 2012 constitution, promising that the new version will represent all Egyptians

Gaber Nassar
Member of constitution committee Gaber Nassar (Photo: Al-Ahram)

Member of the 50-committee to amend Egypt's constitution, Gaber Nassar, said on Wednesday that the suspended 2012 constitution has been utilised for partisan gains, Ahram's Arabic website reported.

Nassar, President of Cairo University, told several journalists at the Shura Council, whilst processing his ID for the 50-member committee, that Egyptians insist on having a democratic constitution.

He described 25 January 2011 and 30 June 2013 as two revolutions, and explained that as such, the constitution should reflect the Egyptian people and their revolutionary spirit.

"There won't be tyranny in Egypt in the name of religion or army, and we will fight to find a constitution fit for the people," he elaborated.

Achieving the goals of the revolution, according to Nassar, is non-negotiable. He believes there is no place for partial-solutions within a revolutionary nation.

Nassar was also a member of the committee tasked with drafting the 2012 constitution during Morsi's one year reign. However, he resigned along with a number of non-Islamists, who believed that the constitution was not representative of all Egyptians.

Nassar said options are open for the 50-member committee to "develop a vision for a new constitution," indicating that the 50-committee has the opportunity to draft a completely new constitution for Egypt, instead of purely amending the 2012 version.

Such a path, says Nassar, is not difficult, as Egypt has a long history in drafting constitutions.

He also stated that all options are on the table for either adopting the revisions of the 10-member technical committee, which made initial suggestions for amendments to the constitution, or not following these proposals.

"The [50-member committee] will do what its conscience dictates," he added.

Members of the 50-committee were announced on Sunday and are expected to start their first session soon at the Shura Council Headquarters.

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