Egyptian Government Program to Protect the Democratic Process At this critical moment, as the threat of terrorism that seeks

to disrupt the state through the use of violence, intimidation and sectarianism rears its ugly head over the nation, the Egyptian government asserts in words as well as in actions that it will not hesitate to stand up to whoever targets the national security of Egypt or the safety of its citizens. The government will continue to put first Egypt's national security, rejecting to succumb to any form of foreign pressure. Furthermore, the government undertakes to protect as well as defend Egypt and its citizens. While the state's relentless, uncompromising fight against security threats persists, the government affirms its unshakable belief in and absolute commitment to working on both social and political levels towards establishing a democratic system that will guarantee the rights and freedoms of all Egyptians. The government declares that it will spare no effort to end the bloodshed and defuse the tension among Egyptians. To this end, the government is reaching out to all peaceful Egyptians who denounce violence, uphold the roadmap as outlined in the Constitutional Declaration, and have no blood on their hands - a bright future for Egypt becomes feasible only when harmony and solidarity prevail. Accordingly, the government announces the launch of "Egypt's Program to Sustain the Democratic Process". The program gives an opportunity for all Egyptians to participate, politically and socially, in determining the measures necessary to ensure the progress of the

democratic process, safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Egyptians during the transitional period, and guarantee free parliamentary and presidential elections, all in accordance with the following principles: 1. The roadmap shall be completed in compliance with the Constitutional Declaration, ensuring that all political forces are fully represented. A referendum on the new constitution will be held, followed by free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections to be held on due dates in pursuance to the legislative regulations. 2. The government shall undertake to provide for the citizens' safety and stability; protect their lives, freedoms and property; and fight violence, terrorism and disrespect for law. 3. The government shall continue to build institutions that will promote the democratic process. This includes restructuring and activating The National Council for Human Rights, The National Council for Women and The National Council for Justice and Equality. Such institutions shall be empowered so that they may serve their true purpose; promoting democracy and equality among citizens; effectively combating sectarian strife; and safeguarding both the natural and acquired rights of women in society. 4. The government shall, in conference with political forces and civil society, continue to work within the legislative, administrative and executive framework that will ensure the progress and integrity of the democratic process, including lifting the state of emergency where it is no longer required, and issuing new legislations that

ensure freedom of civil society, freedom for access and exchange of information, and freedom of peaceful assembly. Said legislations shall also regulate electoral funding, and guarantee the independence of the Supreme Electoral Commission and its supervision, in concert with civil and international supervisors, over the entire electoral process. 5. The state shall affirm its commitment to protecting the civil rights and freedoms of all citizens as provided by Egyptian law as well as international conventions and agreements, including the right to peaceful protest in pursuance of international laws and standards that criminalize whoever stages violent protests, blocks roads, uses, or incites individuals to use, force to jeopardize people's lives as well as public and private property. 6. All citizens, unless involved in bloodshed, shall be entitled to political participation in the democratic process as long as they uphold the rule of law, are committed to the roadmap, denounce violence or incitement thereof, are peaceful, and accept that all citizens are equal without discrimination. 7. All parties willing to participate in the democratic process shall reaffirm their commitment to condemning violence unconditionally, and to laying down their arms. 8. The government shall firmly repulse all forms of attacks on places of worship across Egypt; respect the right of all citizens to practice their religion freely and safely within the limits of public order; and ensure that places of worship are not used for promoting political activity. Moreover, the government shall work towards establishing

non-discriminatory cultural practices by issuing legislations that seek to protect citizenship and promote equality among all sectors of the Egyptian society. 9. The government shall provide the legal and professional framework for safeguarding freedom of expression, and formulate Egypt's media code of honor and self-censorship to ensure the independence of the media. 10. All citizens are urged to cooperate to rebuild Egypt and reinvigorate the economy by embracing the values of hard work and increased productivity, and by exerting their utmost effort to create the necessary conditions for the government to provide a decent quality of living for all Egyptians. The government is committed to addressing the question of social justice, which comes across as one of the most important demands of the revolution; to proposing a national program for achieving sustainable social justice; and to providing social security for deserving individuals. 11. The government shall implement a national program for transitional justice through independent national committees that seek to reestablish consensus, unity and harmony in society. To that end, said committees shall uphold the principles of transparency, accountability and reconciliation; supervise the factfinding committees' work on crimes associated with, or subsequent to, the revolution; and pass the transitional justice legislation necessary to implement such measures.

To carry out this program, the government calls upon political and civil forces to take part in the program's implementation. A working group, which includes members of the government and the presidency as well as representatives of all civil and political forces, shall be formed with the purpose of overseeing the enforcement of this program throughout the transitional period. The group shall report its conclusions and recommendations on regular basis to the National Reconciliation Committee, the National Defense Council and the Cabinet. The public opinion shall consequently be notified with the results.