Egypt’s judges to boycott constitutional referendum

Egypt’s judges refuse to supervise a referendum on the constitution scheduled by President Mohamed Morsi for December 15. Head of the influential Judges’ Club, Ahmed el-Zend, said Monday: “This is our response to the so-called constitutional decree which must be cancelled or frozen along with all its clauses.” The Supreme Constitutional Court stopped work Sunday when Morsi’s supporters prevented judges from reaching their offices.

Protests continue in Cairo’s Tahrir Square against the president’s assumption of sweeping powers. Opposition groups have called for a mass rally Tuesday against the referendum for a charter slanted towards an Islamist agenda against women’s rights and individual freedoms.