Study Reveals 50,000 Egyptians Banned From Travel Abroad

A study by the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) revealed that more than 50,000 Egyptian citizens were banned from travelling abroad explaining that the reason for most of the cases goes back to judicial rulings issued against them.

The study also pointed out that a major obstruction to the freedom of travel is the clashing of duties between the executive and judicial authorities.  Moreover, specializations within the judicial system clash especially between the Attorney General, who issues the decisions banning travel, General Plaintiff, and Minister of Interior on the one hand, and the State Council Courts on the other.

To avoid this situation, the study requested the quick ratification of the law which regulates the decision-making process in cases concerning travel ban and arrival waiting lists, rather than having courts look into each case individually.  This came after the Supreme Constitutional Court opened the doors of controversy over the legitimacy of such decisions and those who have authority to issue them.  

Despite the Administrative Judicial Court”s emphasis on the constitution”s securing people”s right to travel as a personal freedom that should not be touched without justification, the State Council gives the Ministry of Interior the authority to prevent anyone from travelling abroad as well as the right to specify the conditions for granting, refusing, extending, or withdrawing a passport.

However, persons banned from travel for participating in political activity can challenge decisions issued against them in front of the State Council and get their names removed from the lists.

The problem of travel ban most often faces Egyptian political activists especially in their trips to attend international conferences and events on rights and political issues.