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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 February - 3 March 1999 Issue No. 418 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 February - 3 March 1999 Issue No. 418
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Forget the fine print
By Abdel-Aziz Mohamed *
Since the Lawyers Syndicate is the body which watches over citizens' rights to a legal defence, its existence is important for everyone. The syndicate, however, is facing difficulties. At a time when it must uphold the profession's traditions and improve its efficiency, the number of new graduates joining has increased tenfold due to incorrect educational and employment policies.
The syndicate must also provide social and health insurance to these newcomers. This has bred an atmosphere of anxiety and tension. Political parties and Islamist groups, furthermore, are causing divisions among the lawyers. Any group with attractive slogans can now use the syndicate to do battle with government policies.
But is the recent imposition of judicial sequestration and administrative guardianship the best way of dealing with such serious problems? Frankly, no. Instead of concentrating on the real problems, everyone is now occupied with how to lift the sequestration. The conduct of the guardians has only harmed the profession.
The solution lies in new elections allowing lawyers to form a council and choose a head freely. This will make it impossible for a party or group to impose its will on the syndicate.
The new syndicate head and council must enable the lawyers to solve their problems. Society needs a syndicate to defend its rights and uphold the rule of law. In order to achieve this, the syndicate must be overhauled and its performance enhanced.
* This week's Soapbox speaker is head of the Cairo chapter of the Lawyers Syndicate and head-elect of the Lawyers Syndicate.
