Abdel-Maksoud: President Morsi’s Detainees Pardon a Revolution Triumph

Abdel-Moneim Abdel-Maksoud, senior lawyer and member of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), affirmed that the power-of-law decree issued by Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi to release detainees held in the period from January 25, 2011 to June 30, 2012 is a historic decision that represents a victory for the January 25 revolution, its youths and all those who supported it.

He further said that the President’s decree is an unprecedented legal step to resolve the issue of all those arrested and prosecuted in civilian and military courts.

In a press statement, the senior lawyer said: "This decree is based on the constitutional declarations issued on February 13, 2011 and March 30, 2011 and August 12, 2012, and on the penal code and criminal proceedings laws as well as the recommendation of the committee formed by Presidential Decree No. 5 of 2012.

Abdel-Maksoud assured that the President will not resort to his legislative powers unless absolutely necessary, especially to lift the burden of injustice from the innocent, such as those who sacrificed in their endeavors to establish proper democratic life and to eliminate a dictatorial regime that for long worked against the interests of the nation at home and abroad and spread corruption in all state  institutions.

Moreover, the NCHR member stressed that the President’s decisions reflect a genuine desire to eliminate all forms of injustice that were perpetrated against the Egyptian people under the former regime, and which caused increasing tensions and daily worries for the entire nation, and led a great many people to lose confidence in the ruling regime at the time.

He further pointed that, by issuing this decree, the President aims to give the Egyptian people the chance to fully enjoy their rights and freedoms, without fear of any repressive authorities or a corrupt regime, within the bounds of the law and the Constitution.

"The President is endeavoring to serve the people of this homeland, and at the same time protect state institutions, and safeguard the security and stability of the homeland."

In conclusion, Abdel-Maksoud assured that: "The President is seeking to build a modern democratic state, a state of institutions based on truth and justice; but needs concerted efforts of all groups, segments and elements of the Egyptian people behind him, so he can build the new Egypt we all dream of".