George Clooney Reveals Amal Clooney's 2012 Engagement with Muslim Brotherhood on Egyptian Constitution Focused on Accountability

Actor George Clooney recently stated that his wife, international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, engaged with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt in 2012 regarding the nation's constitution. The statement, reportedly made on the Drew Barrymore Show and reiterated in other interviews, has drawn attention, particularly given the Muslim Brotherhood's controversial status.

According to George Clooney, Amal Clooney was "in the middle of trying to re-do a constitution" and was "negotiating with the Muslim Brotherhood to protect women’s rights in Egypt’s new constitution." He further clarified her role in a separate interview, stating she was "trying to hold the Muslim Brotherhood to account for something." This indicates her involvement was in an advocacy capacity rather than assisting in drafting from a supportive stance.

Amal Clooney's documented work in Egypt during this period aligns with a critical and human rights-focused approach. In February 2014, she co-authored a report for the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) titled "Separating Law and Politics: Challenges to the Independence of Judges and Prosecutors in Egypt," which critically assessed the country's judicial system. She also notably represented Al Jazeera journalists who were accused of aiding the Muslim Brotherhood, and faced threats of arrest in 2014 for her criticisms of the Egyptian justice system.

The 2012 Egyptian Constitution, adopted on December 25, 2012, was drafted by a Constituent Assembly largely dominated by Islamist parties, including the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party. The drafting process was contentious, with liberal and secular members boycotting due to concerns about Islamist influence and insufficient protections for civil liberties, women's rights, and religious minorities. This constitution was later suspended in July 2013 following the military's ousting of then-President Mohamed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, has faced varying classifications globally. The United Arab Emirates officially designated the organization as a terrorist group on November 15, 2014. Egypt itself outlawed the group in 2013, following the political upheaval that led to Morsi's removal from power.