Is Egypt judging its judges too harshly?
Some judges are being forced to retire, ostensibly for political activity — but they say it is because they’re not supporting the ruling regime.
Egypt’s Court of Judicial Discipline is forcing more judges into retirement, citing them for being involved in political action and supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and ousted President Mohammed Morsi.
Critics say the move is the executive authority’s bid to subsume the judiciary and make it defend and promote the regime’s policies.
The disciplinary court issued a final ruling March 28. If President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ratifies the decision, 32 judges will be forced to retire.
Article 73 of the Judiciary Act prohibits judges from engaging in political action and running for elections before submitting their resignations. But the judges said their actions did not violate the law because they were only expressing opinions and were not involved in politics. They claimed they were not affiliated with any party or political movement.
