(Cairo, November 20th 2017) ECWR welcomes the approval of the House of Representatives on the amendments of the Inheritance Law (No. 77 of 1943).
The amendments stipulate that “the penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than six months and a fine of not less than twenty thousand pounds, and not exceeding one hundred thousand pounds, or one of these two penalties each deliberately refrained from handing over one of the heirs his legitimate share of inheritance.
Punishment by imprisonment for a period not less than three months and a fine not less than 10 thousands LE and not exceeding 50 thousands LE or one of these two punishments applies in each withholding a document confirming the share of the heir, or refrained from handing over the bond if requested by any of the legitimate heirs.”
Nehad Abol Komsan, Chairwoman of ECWR, affirms that these amendments represent a great step in women’s access to their inheritance rights, given that many families deprive women from their inheritance. Thus, they are violating the Sharia Law that insures rights when they are due.
This amendment is consistent with Article no. 11 of the Egypt’s Constitution, which states:“….. The State shall be committed to protecting women against all forms of violence…”
Women’s deprivation of inheritance is a form of violence, especially with one-third of Egyptian households headed by women.
Therefore, ECWR demands a revision for all the laws that form a discrimination against women, such as the Personal Status Code.
