Egypt to impose LE 10,000 fine on those harassing tourists

[DJKeefy]

Parliament approved Article 53 regulating the penalties of harassing tourists within the draft Protection of Antiquities Law, which was finally passed on Monday without any amendments, despite some MPs’ requests to toughen the punishment measures.

Under the new law, “Unless there is a tougher penalty stipulated in any other law, whoever harasses tourists or visitors of archaeological sites or museums, with the intention of begging or promoting, offering or selling a good or service, shall be punished with a fine of not less than LE 3,000 ($169) and not more than LE 10,000.”

MP Ehab al-Tamawy called for toughening the punishment to reach a fine of LE 20,000. Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enani and MP Osama Heikal, head of the Culture and Media Committee in Parliament, supported Tamawy’s suggestion, but other MPs refused to increase the penalty.

Parliament Speaker Ali Abdul Aal said, “There is no such penalty in any other country and the toughening of the punishment will not eradicate the phenomenon. Increasing the awareness about the nuisance of such acts among the society can contribute to ending them.”

The new law comes in line with the tourism authorities’ efforts to prepare for the summer season amid the return of direct Russian flights to Egypt.

Source: https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/48 ... -harassing

[DJKeefy]

with the intention of begging or promoting, offering or selling a good or service, shall be punished with a fine of not less than LE 3,000 ($169) and not more than LE 10,000.”

MORE ways to take every last penny off the poorer Egyptians just trying to make a living. Why don't they just cull the poor and get it over and done with

[Dusak]

Its not the poor and impoverished that give you the hassle though, its those that earn a living within the tourist industry, taxi drivers, calesh owners, souq sellers, boat operators, these are the ones that require education, stiff fines or disbandment for non compliance of this new law.

[DJKeefy]

The problem is that the law once again is loosely written "offering or selling a good or service" so they could lock up virtually anyone they feel like locking up, that could be a taxi man offering his services, staff at a restaurant showing you a menu when you pass by, felluccas trying to get some business YES some do spoil it but many of them are just trying to earn a small living.

[Who2]

If that's the case I'm worth a few bob, a bit like my 5p plastic bag collection under the sink.
I'm a 'millionaire..... 'spare me.....
Ps: know your local beggar....

[newcastle]

The main hassle I've faced is walking along the corniche, through the tourist souk or in the streets generally....none of which are archaeological sites covered by the proposed law.

[DJKeefy]

The main hassle I've faced is walking along the corniche, through the tourist souk or in the streets generally....none of which are archaeological sites covered by the proposed law..

Till the police want to show you what power they now have, then all of Egypt will be classed as a archaeological site

[newcastle]

The main hassle I've faced is walking along the corniche, through the tourist souk or in the streets generally....none of which are archaeological sites covered by the proposed law..

Till the police want to show you what power they now have, then all of Egypt will be classed as a archaeological site

Like the good old days when the locals were wary of accosting tourists

Isn't all of Luxor classed as an "open museum" these days ?

[DJKeefy]

The main hassle I've faced is walking along the corniche, through the tourist souk or in the streets generally....none of which are archaeological sites covered by the proposed law..

Till the police want to show you what power they now have, then all of Egypt will be classed as a archaeological site

Like the good old days when the locals were wary of accosting tourists

Bring out the big whipping sticks a few of them use to carry.

[Who2]

The time of Col Hafeez when the tourist police policed...
Years before our very-own ex-plod MT arrived on the scene, to change just about everything.....'yeh right 'oh...

Anyhow If, one wonders the Corniche after dark ? it's a whole new experience than the bright daylight times.
In the gloom they 'come out to play' I once kneed a guy in his balls, I had good reason after he propositioned me,
good news travels fast, it never happened to me again....
Wait till the crossdressers join the throng, Thailand here we come ?
'whipping sticks ? never really got into that flagellation stuff..lol.....
Ps: It's bad enough bumping into Grayson on my way to the pub, back home and him wearing his daughters 'cast-offs..
Oh! He's a nice guy really....
P*ss: My mate the 'rock-star formally known as 'big-nose has fallen over, he's aging..WTF....f*ckin 'shades ?

[Major Thom]

I am sure a bit of Backsheesh in the back pocket will avert heavy fines!

[Dusak]

We spent nearly a full exhausting day last week, wandering all over the place for a new phone, one thing that did stick out was the increase in street beggars of all ages, mainly women. The only one I didn't see was ''her'' with her sixteenth new born. No hassle from Calesh drivers, but quite a lot from deaf taxi drivers.

[carrie]

What I can't understand is that when a taxi driver sees you get off a bus or out of another taxi they have to pull along side of you and ask if you want a taxi often stopping you from crossing the road.

[Who2]

Smile tap your heart saying "shukran abasha.....always works for me...

[Dusak]

A very polite p**s off works just as well after the second ''you know how much?''

[Major Thom]

It the same as when you get off the ferry and they shout, "Boat to the West Bank" Where do they think you got on the ferry?

[Major Thom]

Any reports of anyone been found yet, or does it not start in Luxor for 10 years

[Adamantium]

HASSLE...In Luxor it deserves to be in caps. There was the time this being 2010 I simply wished to see the new west bank Corniche. I was met on the Ferry by a young man asking if I wanted a taxi. He was giving me the hard sell. He was very angry when I told him this is where I wished to be.

They are a loaded gun and we are their targets. They don't give up until the ammunition is spent or if we fire off more rounds than they do and shoot them down.

They are probably trained the moment they utter their first words.

"Hello Baksheesh."

When I read of this having googled 'Luxor HASSLE' I was chuffed. We have something to fire back at them. This is our ammunition.
We step back into the days when some Egyptians were weary about hassling or walking with tourists.

As Luxor is one big open air museum I can see how that law covers all areas. This is where our mobile phones can come in handy. I was once hassled by someone with a motorbike. Thinking on my feet I got my phone and took a snap of his plate as can be done with taxis and caleche. He quickly backed off when he realised I could make trouble for him.

[Who2]

My mate Eric, the native red indian locally known as the 'mad knifeman of Ramla,
has the same problem as you.
He dosen't understand the concept of 'the path of least resistance.
QED..... He makes a rod for his own back.
If you haven't learnt yet how to deal with, foreigners, weirdo's, gay's, beggars, drunks or policeman.
You need to go back to school and start again.
Eric has an excuse, he's a Yank. Whats your's ?....

Ps: He's getting better, he's inherited a blind Husky dog and I kid you not....

[newcastle]

I'm curious to know how " Eric" still manages to reside in Egypt.

Is he not subject to the visa rules which require most of us to leave periodically?

If so, and if he has a habit of causing trouble or is the weirdo you paint him as, why is he allowed to re-enter?