Annex 1: Unofficial Translations of the Supreme Council of the Armed
Forces Constitutional Declaration, March 30, 2011, as amended, and
the Addendum to the Declaration issued on June 17, 2012 (shown in
italics)31
After reviewing the Constitutional Announcement of February 13 and the results of the referendum
on constitutional amendments of March 19 (which were announced in the affirmative on March 20),
and in consideration of the SCAF statement of March 23, the following has been decided:
Article 1: The Arab Republic of Egypt is a state with a democratic system, based on citizenship, and
the Egyptian people are a part of the Arab nation working toward achieving its comprehensive unity.
Article 2: Islam is the religion of the state, and the Arabic language is its official language. The
principles of Islamic law are the chief source of legislation.
Article 3: Sovereignty is from the people only, and the people are the source of authority. The
people practice this sovereignty and protect it, safeguarding national unity.
Article 4: Citizens have the right to form associations, unions, syndicates, and parties, according to
the law. It is forbidden to form associations whose activities are opposed to the order of society or
secret or militaristic in nature. It is not permitted directly to engage in political activity or form
political parties on the basis of religion or division due to race or origin.
Article 5: The economy in the Arabic Republic of Egypt is based on developing economic activity and
social justice and guaranteeing different forms of property and preserving the rights of workers.
Article 6: Public property is protected, and its defense and support is a duty incumbent on every
citizen, according to the law. Private property is safeguarded, and it is not permitted to impose
guardianship over it except through the means stated in law and the judiciary. Property cannot be
removed except for the public benefit and in exchange for compensation according to the law, and
the right of inheritance is guaranteed.
Article 7: Law applies equally to all citizens, and they are equal in rights and general duties. They
may not be discriminated against due to race, origin, language, religion, or creed.
Article 8: Personal freedom is a natural right, safeguarded and unviolated, and except in the case of
being caught in the act of a violation, it is not permitted for anyone to be detained or searched or for
his/her freedom to be restricted or for movement to be prevented, except by a warrant order
compelling the necessity of investigation or to safeguard the security of society. This warrant order
will be issued by a specialized judge or the general prosecutor, according to the law. The law also
determines the period for which one may be detained.
Article 9: Every citizen who is arrested or detained must be treated in a way that preserves his/her
human dignity. It is forbidden for him/her to be abused in body or mind, as it is forbidden to detain
him/her in places outside of those designated by the prisons law. Any statement proven to be
extracted from a citizen under duress or threat will not be counted and is unreliable.
Article 10: Homes are protected and it is not permitted to enter or search them without a warrant
according to the law.
Article 11: The life of citizens has special sanctity protected by law, as do messages sent by post, fax,
telephone or other forms of communication, whose secrecy is guaranteed. It is not permitted to
confiscate, read, or censor these, except by judicial order and for a limited time, according to the
law.
Article 12: The state guarantees the freedom of creed, and the freedom to practice religious rites.
Freedom of opinion is also guaranteed, and every person has the right to express his opinion and
31
Source: “English text of SCAF Amended Egypt Constitutional Declaration.” Ahram Online. June 18, 2012;
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/45350.aspx
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