The Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, ordered the formation of the Higher Permanent Committee for Human Rights, which will be responsible for responding to human rights accusations brought against Egypt internationally.
A national human rights strategy and action plan to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms will be developed by the committee, which will then follow up on the implementation.
The Higher Permanent Committee for Human Rights will formulate a unified Egyptian vision to be expressed in international and regional forums. It will also prepare Egypt’s file to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council for the universal periodic review.
The committee will follow up on the implementation of the recommendations accepted by Egypt as part of the universal periodic review process and will propose means to implement them.
Policies, programs and plans to raise awareness of human rights will also be developed by the committee, which will ensure that Egypt implements its international obligations arising from the provisions of the relevant international conventions and protocols.
A host of international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly accused Egypt of practicing torture and carrying out enforced disappearances. Egyptian officials have denied all such accusations.
In September, Amnesty International issued a report stating, “The crackdown on freedom of expression under Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has reached alarming new levels unparalleled in Egypt’s recent history.”
The non-governmental organization focused on human rights launched a campaign calling for “the unconditional and immediate release of all those who have been detained solely for peacefully expressing their views.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
