The Evolution of Legislative Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Egypt

This article examines the evolution of disability rights in Egypt in light of international legal instruments, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It assesses whether Egyptian law has shifted from a charity-based approach to a comprehensive rights-based legal and policy framework. The article notes the limited recognition of disability rights in Egypt during the twentieth century and highlights the substantial reforms introduced in the twenty-first century, particularly the enactment of Law No. 10 of 2018. This law explicitly emphasizes various disability rights, including healthcare, education, vocational rehabilitation, employment, accessibility, and social protection. Using an analytical legal methodology, the article evaluates this expansion of disability rights and its consistency with international standards. It concludes that Law No. 10 of 2018 constitutes an evident shift towards a rights-based approach at the level of legal texts. However, the realization of disability rights in practice has not developed at the same pace as their recognition in legal texts.