EGYPT’S DEMOCRATIC GAINS SINCE 2011 SHOULD NOT BE LOST, SAYS IPU

The democratic gains achieved by the Egyptian people since 2011 at such cost must not be lost and the wishes of the majority should be respected, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) says today.

“The elections late last year that put into place a new parliament had come at a cost. The Egyptian people had demonstrated their absolute desire for democracy. The democratic gains they achieved must be built upon and not destroyed,” says IPU President Abdelwahad Radi.

The statement follows latest developments in Egypt, including the dismissal of the lower house of the Egyptian parliament last week.

“IPU has always believed in the rule of law, an impartial judiciary and a strong, representative parliament. We urge Egypt to not deviate from establishing a true democracy in the country as soon as possible,” adds Radi.