Geneva: EOHR holds a seminar discussing Terrorism & Human Rights in Egypt

GENEVA – 14 September 2018: The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) held Friday its second seminar on the sidelines of the 39th Session of the International Council for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.

The seminar, titled, ‘Terrorism and Human Rights in Egypt: Compensation for Victims of Terrorism and Qatari support of terrorism,’ was attended by Hafez Abu Seada, Egyptian human rights activist and Chairman of the (EOHR), Essam Shiha, lawyer and Secretary General of the EOHR, Salah Salam, member of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), Alaa Shalahy, Secretary General of the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR), and Khaled Hamad Al-Marri, a representative of the Al Ghufran tribe. The seminar was also attended by a number of human rights activists, UN official, diplomats and members of the press.

This seminar comes within the framework and the role that the EOHR, established in 1985, plays in the human rights world in Egypt. As one of the top non-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights in Egypt, the organization operates in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights legislation and conventions.


EOHR held Friday its second seminar on the sidelines of the 39th Session of the International Council for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. - Egypt Today

During the seminar, Abu Saeda stated, “It is important for the international community to work closely with countries fighting terrorism, including Egypt, in the implementation of Resolutions by the Security Council. There should be cooperation between countries allowing them to exchange information, increase funding for the cause and prevent the facilitation of the passage of terrorist leaders.”

Abu Saeda continued, “The EOHR adopted terrorism victims and filed a lawsuit to claim compensation from countries supporting terrorism crimes; on top of said list of countries sits Qatar, as it provides funding to terrorist organizations operating in Egypt.”

This has led to a large number of people falling victim to terrorist crimes, some of home lost their lives or became injured as a result, he explained.

“The EOHR, while supporting the role of the state in the fight against terrorism, calls on all parties responsible to adhere to human rights and the rule of law, including fair trials, even if individuals are thought to have committed terrorist crimes.”


EOHR held Friday its second seminar on the sidelines of the 39th Session of the International Council for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. - Egypt Today

Commenting on the Egyptian lower court sentencing 75 to death over the 2013 sit-in, which Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet, who took office last week, called “unfair,” elaborating that if the sentences were to be carried out, they “would represent a gross and irreversible miscarriage of justice,” Abu Saeda said, “With regard to the recent death sentences, the organization holds the view that the accused have the right to an appeal; Egypt’s law requires the public prosecution to appeal even if the defendant is not challenged.”


Hafez Abu Seada, Egyptian human rights activist and Chairman of the (EOHR) during the seminar - Egypt Today

During the seminar, Shiha revealed, “Egypt ranked 11th in the Global Terrorism Index [GTI], according to the Australian Institute of Economics and Peace in its 2017 report. The report confirmed the rise of the number of terrorism crimes in Egypt in 2016 and 2017, nine times the number it was during previous years. After the June 30 revolution, the number of martyrs of terrorism reached more than 1,500 martyrs, as a result of operations carried out by groups such as Hasm and Ansar Bait al-Maqdis. The international community must reduce state support for terrorist organizations. The most effective way to combat terrorism is through measures of respect for human dignity and adherence to the rule of law.”


EOHR held Friday its second seminar on the sidelines of the 39th Session of the International Council for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. - Egypt Today

On his part, Salem explained that Egypt has been fighting terrorism, and operating buffer zones along the Gaza Strip. “More than 890 tunnels were found under the houses in the 500 metres [closest to the border]. Then, it was expanded to reach 3,800 meters, which meant expanding the buffer zone and compensating the residents,” Salem explained.

“Terrorism in Sinai not only targeted Copts but also targeted civilians and anyone who collaborated with the armed forces. The mosques were also the target of the terrorist acts. The number of victims of terrorism in the Sinai has reached 850 civilian martyrs, 315 of which were in the Al-Rawdah Mosque attack in North Sinai,” said Salem.

“Despite all the challenges to the economy, tourism and infrastructure (such as electricity towers and gas lines,) international indicators show that Egypt went up 44 ranks, according to the statistics of the International Competitiveness Organization. The economy also improved to positive, according to Moody's, Fitch and Standard & Poor's ratings,” he said. Unemployment has also reached 9.9 percent and Egypt has became a production hub and a gas exporter.


EOHR held Friday its second seminar on the sidelines of the 39th Session of the International Council for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. - Egypt Today

Joining the important conversation, Shalaby said, “The revolutions were peaceful at first but then the armed riots let to the deaths of innocent victims, the collapse of states and the rise of terrorism. He called on the international community to punish states that support terrorism.”

Al-Marri represented the oppressed Qatari Al Ghufran tribe, affirming that his government, Qatar, supports terrorist organizations and holds double standards. He also said that there is a U.S. military base and an office of the in Qatar.

Earlier during their visit to Geneva, the EOHR held a seminar titled ‘Forced Disappearance in Egypt’.

The session was chaired by Hafez Abu Seada, Egyptian human rights activist and Chairman of the Egyptian Organization for Human rights (EOHR); panellists included Essam Shiha, Secretary General of the EOHR, Salah Salam, member of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), Alaa Shalaby, Secretary General of the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR), Tarek Zaghloul, Executive Director at EOHR, and Mohamed Osman, International Relations Coordinator at EOHR.


Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) held Wednesday a seminar titled ‘Forced Disappearance in Egypt’ - Egypt Today


Egyptian Organization for Human Rights holds seminar on ‘Forced Disappearance in Egypt’ - Egypt Today


Egyptian Organization for Human Rights holds seminar on ‘Forced Disappearance in Egypt’ - Egypt Today


Egyptian Organization for Human Rights holds seminar on ‘Forced Disappearance in Egypt’ - Egypt Today