Predictably, the Egyptian authorities are getting in a twist over their discriminatory new personal status law for non-Muslims (or possibly just Christians).

Separate laws for members of different religions are an inherently bad idea but, since President Mubarak wants this one to be ready within two months, they might at least try to make a decent job of it. New laws, if they are to be effective, require extensive public debate but, as usual, the instincts of the Egyptian regime are to minimise the discussion.

The head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Alexandria hascomplained to the justice minister that his church has not been represented in the committee drafting the law. "And so we shall not abide by it," he wrote.

The Evangelical Church is also claiming exclusion. "When I arrived, I was surprised to find out I was excluded from the committee without being given any reasons," the church's representative, Ekram Lamee, told al-Masry al-Youm.

According the the paper. Lamee accused the Coptic pope of applying double standards. "The Pope wants to remove the section on adoption from the new law in order to appease Muslims, even though the Bible permits adoption," he said. "Why is the Pope ignoring a clear text in the Bible for the sake of Muslims, while insisting on the literal interpretation of another text that disapproves of divorce except where adultery has been committed?"

The Evangelicals are also reportedly keen to see the introduction of "modern techniques for proving incidents of adultery".

Meanwhile, the assistant justice minister, who is chairing the committee has ordered its members not to speak to the media. Statements to the press about the committee's work "are the responsibility of the minister of justice alone," he is quoted as telling them.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 22 June 2010.