The Egyptian Cabinet approved on Wednesday the new law governing protests.

The new law will be referred to the Shura Council (upper house of the parliament).

According to the Cairo Insitute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), the new draft law aims to criminalize peaceful demonstrations.

"The draft law stipulates that protesters must submit a notification at least five days in advance, ignoring the spontaneous nature these protests often have," says a statement by CIHRS.

The Cabinet also approved a presidential draft decision to increase tariffs on some non-essential consumer goods such as watches, boats, shrimps and sunglasses, reported the Middle East News Agency.