The Ministry of Interior issues the conditions and mechanisms for licensing peaceful demonstrations

The Ministry of Interior issued a communiqué clarifying the conditions and mechanisms for licensing peaceful demonstrations, the procedures to be followed by the organizers, in addition to defining the responsibilities of the competent authorities in providing protection, and the penalties resulting from violating gatherings.

The communiqué reaffirms the state's commitment to safeguarding freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, in order to ensure the preservation of civil peace, and the protection of public and private lives and property.

The Ministry of Interior stressed that the communiqué is based on the provisions of the Constitutional Declaration and the laws in force that guarantee the right to peaceful demonstration, while stressing the need to maintain security and public order, protect property, and ensure the proper functioning of public facilities.

According to the communiqué, the organization of any peaceful demonstration requires the formation of a committee consisting of a chairman and at least two members, which will submit the license application to the concerned governorate according to the specified form, and then the governorate will refer the request within 24 hours to the competent committee to study and decide on it.

The committee shall decide on the license application within five days from the date of its registration at the Governorate Office, and failure to respond within this period shall be considered as approval.

In case of rejection, the decision must be reasoned, and the organizer has the right to appeal to the Court of Administrative Justice, which decides on the appeal within a week with a final decision.

The communiqué confirmed that the competent authorities at the Ministry of Interior will provide the necessary protection for the demonstration and provide possible assistance within the limits of the laws, while the organizing committee is committed to maintaining order and preventing any words or actions that violate the content of the license.

The communiqué also stressed the prohibition on the participation of anyone carrying a weapon in the demonstration, whether licensed or not, and that any object that is cuttered, piercing or satisfied is considered a weapon according to the law.

The Ministry has the right to ask the organizing committee to end the demonstration if it exceeds the conditions of the permit, or if riots or acts that disturb public order or impede the authorities in the performance of their duties, and if this is not possible, the Ministry will disperse them.

The communiqué pointed out that any gatherings organized without a permit or otherwise are considered illegal demonstrations and are subject to the penalties stipulated in articles 335, 336, 337 and 338 of the Penal Code.

The Ministry of Interior concluded its statement by calling on citizens to fully comply with the laws and regulations related to demonstrations and public gatherings, and to refrain from any practices that may threaten civil peace, endanger the safety of citizens, affect public and private property, or disrupt the work of institutions, under the penalty of legal accountability.