Egypt’s judges on strike over new constitution

Egypt’s top court began an open-ended strike protesting a controversial new constitution drafted by the Islamist-dominated legislators and transferred to President Mohammed Morsi for signing.

The draft is to be discussed at the referendum on Dec 15.

The move is opposed by top judges and the National Liberation Front which urged a strike in Cairo’s Tahrir Square Tuesday,according to ,Russia Today,Itar Tass and Reuters.

Egypt’s Supreme Judicial Council has agreed to oversee the referendum on the draft constitution, a legal adviser to President Mohamed Morsi said on Monday.

Some judges had said they would refuse to oversee the referendum after Morsi ignited a crisis last month by decreeing a temporary expansion of his powers, setting off nationwide protests.

“The Supreme Judicial Council has met and agreed to delegate judges to oversee the constitutional referendum,” said Mohamed Gadallah, the legal adviser to Morsi.

About 10,000 judges are needed to monitor the vote, he said.

There was no immediate comment from the judicial council.

Two weeks after being passed by a special commission, the new draft Egyptian constitution is to go to a popular referendum on Saturday December 15.

Next weekend, Egyptian diplomatic offices in foreign countries will open stations for early voting.

Egyptian opposition’s National Salvation Front has called for anti-constitution protests in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Tuesday as President Mohammed Morsi is preparing to put the draft of the country’s fundamental law to referendum on December 15.

“The National Salvation Front condemns the irresponsible act by the president of the republic in calling a referendum on an illegitimate constitution that is rejected by a large section of his people,” the opposition’s statement said Monday.

Opposition has accused Morsi of breaking his promise not to hold a referendum on the draft constitution before gaining wide national support.

On Sunday, Egypt’s Constitutional Court suspended its work indefinitely, saying it was under “psychological and physical pressure” of pro-Morsi protesters who rallied outside the court.

Mass demonstrations against the measures have been held throughout the country.

R.S