Draft Law Targets Tougher Penalties for Crimes Against Children

A draft law to amend Egypt’s Penal Code is set for review in the House of Representatives, introducing stricter measures to address crimes against children, including the creation of a national registry for offenders.

The proposal, introduced by MP Amira El Adly, has been referred by Speaker Hisham Badawy to parliamentary committees for examination before being presented to a plenary session.

The bill includes a new provision to establish a national registry of individuals convicted by final judgments of sexual crimes against children.

Those listed would be subject to monitoring and barred from working in roles involving direct contact with children, including positions in schools, care facilities and recreational settings.

Additional amendments aim to strengthen penalties by classifying all sexual assaults against children as felonies. The draft also proposes expanded investigative tools and measures to accelerate litigation procedures.

The framework incorporates a child-focused justice approach, including provisions for confidentiality during legal proceedings and psychological support for victims throughout investigation and trial stages.

According to the explanatory note, the proposal is informed by official data indicating rising reports of children at risk, as recorded by the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, alongside findings from UNICEF on the prevalence of violence against children.