Egypt made great strides to build modern civilian state that protects human rights: Justice minister

CAIRO – 1 March 2023: Despite challenges, Egypt has made great strides over the past eight years to build a modern civilian state that embraces its people, protects their rights, grows their economy, and achieves their security, Minister of Justice Omar Marwan said on Tuesday.

Such modern state would also confront terrorism that targets the stability of the nation and the Egyptians’ ability to enjoy their various rights, Marwan said as he addressed a meeting of the UN Human Rights Committee concerned with monitoring compliance of state parties with the International Covenant on Civilian and Political Rights.

Egypt has been working on building a fully integrated system for promoting human rights for the past eight years, Marwan said.

He added that this system is based on three main pillars, namely the legislative structure, relevant state institutions, and cadre building by effective practice.

The meeting tackled Egypt's fifth report on human rights that was submitted to the committee in November 2019.

Marwan noted that the constructive track chosen by the Egyptian people had led to embracing ambitious policies that contribute to a decent life for all, without any discrimination.

Marwan is leading a high-level delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, to review the fifth periodical report submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) during meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The delegation includes representatives from the foreign and justice ministries, the Public Prosecution, along with a host of senior officials from relevant bodies, including President of the National Council for Women (NCW) Maya Morsy and Chairperson of the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons Naela Gabr.

Over the past years, Egypt has worked on stepping up its efforts aimed at protecting human rights.

In September 2021, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi launched the country’s first National Strategy for Human Rights to protect the rights of the society in all fields, especially the marginalized groups.

Egypt has also reiterated that it addresses human rights via various dimensions, including political, social, health, and educational rights.

MENA contributed to the reporting.