The law requires the organisers of public assemblies to obtain permission from the interior ministry, reversing what are seen as hard-won gains since the 2011 revolt which toppled Hosni Mubarak, the autocrat who ruled for 30 years. The law also prohibits overnight sit-ins, such as the 18-day protest camp in Tahrir Square, which led to the overthrow of Mr Mubarak.
Supporters of Mohamed Morsi, the elected Islamist president removed by a popularly-backed coup in July, hold protests almost every day at universities and on city streets to voice their rejection of the new military-backed authorities.
It grants the interior minister blanket authority to ban public gatherings if he deems them to be “threats to public order” – a formulation which activists describe as vague. Breaches of the new law will be punished by imprisonment or a fine. Meetings in private premises such as party offices are also covered by the law if members of the public are admitted.
“The proposed law seeks to criminalise all forms of peaceful assembly, including protests and public meetings,” said a statement by 17 human rights groups over the weekend. “It also frees the hand of the state to disperse peaceful gatherings by the use of force.”
Adli Mansour, the interim president, signed the draft into law despite widespread criticism and opposition even within the cabinet, where several ministers – including Ziad Bahaa-Eldin, the deputy prime minister – had argued vigorously against the measure.
In a meeting convened last month by Mr Bahaa-Eldin, civil society groups called for the law to be postponed until the country had an elected parliament. But the government countered by ordering a review of the legislation. The amendments in the version adopted are “cosmetic”, say human rights groups.
In recent weeks opponents of the legislation, including Mr Bahaa-Eldin, have been targeted by a vilification campaign in the press accusing them of seeking to undermine the prestige of the state and of constituting a “fifth column” working on behalf of foreign conspirators and the Muslim Brotherhood.
The enactment of the law is seen as a victory for Egypt’s resurgent security establishment, which faced unprecedented public criticism after the removal of Mr Mubarak. Since July the security agencies, which had been on the defensive after 2011, are once more seen to be extending their influence.
A wave of pro-army nationalism is sweeping the country, and public tolerance for demonstrations is declining after three years of political turmoil and chaos on the streets. Large sections of the press have been fanning the flames, encouraging hostility towards the Islamists and calling for the army and police to strengthen their grip.
On Friday, Abdel Nasser Salama, the editor of Al-Ahram, the main state-owned daily, called on the interim president to step aside and relinquish his post to Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the defence minister, who would rule for two years, after which presidential elections would be held. The editor also recommended “the announcement of a state of emergency for the coming two years, banning demonstrations, protests and assemblies for whatever reason”.
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