The state of emergency in Egypt has been extended for another three months, a year after it was first declared following the twin suicide attacks on two Coptic Christian churches on Palm Sunday.
The emergency law, which can only be implemented for three months, was first extended in July. It was extended for another three months in October, and again in January.
During the state of emergency, Egyptian authorities are allowed to intercept all forms of communications and civilians can be referred to emergency courts without the possibility of filing an appeal.
However, rights groups say that the emergency law enables the government to target dissidents and journalists.
According to Middle East Eye, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the latest extension on Saturday with an additional decree.
In addition to the curfew already in place, security forces will be allowed to "take [measures] necessary to confront the dangers and funding of terrorism and safeguard security in all parts of the country."
"The 1958 Emergency Law gives unchecked powers to security forces to arrest and detain and allows the government to impose media censorship and order forced evictions," Human Rights Watch stated in a recent report, according to Middle East Eye.
Amnesty International has criticized Sisi's government for allegedly intimidating opponents.
"It is clear that the Egyptian authorities are hell-bent on arresting and harassing anyone who stands against President Sisi," said the group's North Africa campaigns director Najia Bounaim in a statement in January, according to Middle East Eye.
The government reportedly stepped up its crackdown against dissenters ahead of the March presidential election.
"This is consistent with the Egyptian government's ongoing efforts to crush dissent and consolidate power by attacking civil society, activists and human rights defenders in the country," Bounaim added.
Egyptian Streets reported that at least 500 websites have been blocked in Egypt on the grounds of "supporting terrorism" since the state of emergency was enacted last year.
In North Sinai, the state of emergency has been in place since October 2014 due to the clashes between security forces and militants.
The Islamic State has been attacking police officers and soldiers in the region, but the group has also started targeting civilians in recent years.
In February, a large-scale operation against militants was conducted in the Sinai Peninsula. The operation, carried out by land, sea and air forces, also included parts of Nile Delta as well as the Western Desert, where other militants are active.
