Sisi previews human rights in Egypt with ACHPR

CAIRO, 22 April 2019: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi received the African Commission on Human and peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) delegation in Cairo Monday, where he urged them to “closely observe” the situation in Egypt.

Headed by Soyata Maiga, ACHPR heard a preview by Sisi about the developments and efforts exerted over the last few years to improve economic, social, service and living standards.

The president emphasized that promoting human rights is one of Egypt’s priorities in Vision 2030.

He referred to the achievements accomplished thus far in eliminating slums and unsafe areas, providing over a million of their inhabitants with proper housing.

Social housing for young people, the major anti-Hepatitis C campaign that erased patient waiting lists, the “unprecedented educational makeover,” and the empowerment of women, people with special needs and the youth were also among the projects Sisi highlighted in the meeting.

He also emphasized the state’s role in promoting religious tolerance, acceptance and coexistence, as well as entrenching the concept of citizenship.

As Egypt hosts millions of expats and refugees, Sisi said they practice all their rights and activities freely according to UN conventions.

On Saturday-Monday, ACHPR held a forum in Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss detention, combating torture and ill-treatment.

The forum also tackled issues of displacement and immigration, activating the economic and social rights, protecting the minorities and promoting cultural freedoms.

Over 120 participants from 70 Egyptian, African and international organizations are participating in the forum.

The organizations include the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, the Arab Organization for Human Rights, the African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights.

Moreover, the forum focused on the importance of the role played by the civil society in boosting and enriching human rights in Africa, as well as a number of main issues related to the democratic transaction in several countries including Algeria and Sudan.