NCHR to work on implementing Egypt’s National Strategy for Human Rights: Chief

CAIRO - 5 January 2021: President of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) Moushira Khattab said the council will work during the coming period on implementing the provisions of the National Strategy for Human Rights launched last September by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Khattab made the remarks on Wednesday during the first meeting of the council after its restructure in October, where she affirmed that the National Strategy for Human Rights is based on non-discrimination among citizens and joint work to achieve the main factors of human rights.

Late in December, Sisi has issued Decree No. 616 of 2021 reconstituting the NCHR for the next four years.

During her speech, Khattab said the council’s work will also attach a great importance to the governorates nationwide through a tight mechanism and continuous communication with citizens through the council’s offices in these governorates.

She paid tribute to President Sisi on behalf of the NCHR’s members for his trust in the council, which was reflected on approving the council’s new formation.

Khattab also expressed pride that the council is the first of its kind to be elected as per a democratic process that started with its members being nominated by the civil society then being voted on by MPs and finally being approved by the president.

This represents a great honor, and thus a big responsibility that the council will have to shoulder, Khattab added.

At the launch of Egypt’s 1st national human rights strategy in September, Sisi announced that 2022 is a year of civil society.

He confirmed that the participation of the civil society in raising awareness of human rights is indispensable, saying “awareness is one of the most important elements for human rights.”