Sisi says Egypt to maintain efforts to improve human rights

CAIRO - 30 September 2017: President Abdel Fatah El Sisi on Saturday affirmed that Egypt will continue its efforts to maintain human rights and basic freedoms in line with confronting terrorism and protecting its national security from current dangers threatening the region.

Sisi made the remarks during his meeting with head of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) Mohamed Fayek.

In a press statement, Presidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef said that Fayek submitted Sisi a copy of the annual report compiled by the NCHR for the years 2016-2017. The report includes major challenges facing human rights in Egypt as well as means to address them.

Sisi underlined the important role the NCHR plays especially during the current period in which Egypt is keen on enhancing the comprehensive concept of human rights.

Egypt’s government seeks to strike a balance between maintaining people’s rights and freedoms on one side and achieving security and stability on the other, Youssef noted.

Sisi expressed keenness to get acquainted with the vision of the NCHR about human rights conditions in Egypt and to consider recommendations it issued, Youssef stated.

During the meeting, Fayek reviewed main points of the report, lauding the positive steps that have been taken in human rights field including presidential decrees pardoning a number of imprisoned citizens and youth in addition to the number of legislation issued aiming to improve citizens’ rights in various fields, Youssef stated.

As well, the report commended the plan of economic and social reform Egypt adopts within which it gives attention to low-income and the most needy citizens by providing them with various subsidy programs, Youssef added.

Fayek affirmed that Egypt’s efforts aiming at fighting terrorism and protecting its national security especially in the light of the complicated regional conditions, have positively contributed in enhancing security and stability, Youssef further said.

Fayek noted that the report revealed the responsibility of terrorism for killing a large number of civilian victims in addition to elements of the Armed Forces and police, youssed expounded.

The report also provided issues that should be considered to improve human rights field including enhancing living condition of prisoners in addition to paying attention to the role of the civil society, Youssef said.

During the meeting, Fayek presented the most important recommendations provided in the report that go in line with Egypt’s international obligations in the field of human rights in accordance with the Egyptian constitution.