Egyptian Parliament Member Fatma Adel, representing the Justice Party, introduced a landmark draft bill aimed at overhauling key provisions of the Egyptian Penal Code (Law #58 of 1937).
The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate legal leniency for “honor killings,” toughen penalties for sexual assault and rape, and restrict judicial discretion in granting reduced sentences for severe offenses.
Under the draft law, Article 237 of the Penal Code would be amended to classify the killing of a spouse, former spouse, or an individual caught in the act of adultery with a spouse as pre-meditated murder.
The bill explicitly prohibits judges from citing surprise, vengeance, defense of family honor, or social considerations as grounds for mitigating punishment or granting exemptions.
Tougher sentences for sexual offenses
The legislative proposal also targets severe sexual crimes by amending Articles 17 and 267 of the Penal Code:
Rape and sexual violence
The draft establishes life imprisonment as the standard penalty for rape.
It introduces the death penalty in aggravated circumstances, including cases where the victim is under 18, the perpetrator holds authority or guardianship over the victim, multiple perpetrators are involved, or the act results in severe injury, permanent disability, or death.
Indecent assault
For indecent assault committed through force, threats, or coercion, the bill sets a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years of aggravated imprisonment.
Cases involving minors, armed perpetrators, or fatal outcomes would carry penalties up to life imprisonment or execution.
Child protection
Assaulting a minor under 18 without force would carry a minimum of 10 years of aggravated imprisonment, escalating to life imprisonment if the child is under 12 or if the perpetrator exploited a position of trust or authority.
Eliminating victim-blaming in legal defense
A newly introduced clause in the bill explicitly bars courts from considering a victim’s clothing, appearance, social or marital status, or past behavior as mitigating circumstances or legal defenses in sexual assault cases.
While restricting leniency, the bill maintains that the rights of defense and judicial review regarding the core factual and legal merits of a case remain preserved.
