Egypt clarifies human rights inquiries by ACHPR during 64th session

CAIRO – 3 May 2019: The Egyptian delegation taking part at the 64^th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) held in Sharm El Sheikh has managed to respond to all questions on the periodic report submitted, which prompted the Chairperson of the African Commission to commend on Egypt's response.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Omar Marwan said that Egypt's report on human rights explains how Egypt has achieved remarkable progress regarding the human rights situation within the past five years.

The report has included the efforts exerted by the state concerning the different aspects of human rights, Marwan said in an interview with Egypt Today, on the sidelines of the conference.

All the procedures taken on the ground have been included in the report, Marwan said, adding that the second part of the report has been customized to respond to the recommendations Egypt received in terms of its former report in 2004.

The report has responded to all the 14 recommendations, Marwan said.

Concerning women's rights, Marwan said that the state's efforts have been reviewed in terms of politically and economically empowering women. These efforts include granting women at least 25 percent of the number of seats in the House of the Representatives, according to the latest constitutional amendments approved in April.

Chairman of the National Council for Women (NCW) Maya Morsi has organized a seminar under the title “the Egyptian Woman: the Origin of the Tale" on the sidelines of the session.

During the seminar, a documentary film was screened, to display Egyptian women's life and achievments in the modern era, and share the most important success stories along the path of empowering women and achieving gender equality.

Morsy said that there are some women who became pioneers in a number of fields that have been occupied by women for the first time, and are taking part in decision making. She added that it is the first time for a woman to occupy the post of the president's advisor for national security affairs.

Mr. Marawan In April, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi stressed that boosting human rights is one of the most important national priorities according to the vision of Egypt 2030, according to a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady.

This came during his meeting with Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Soyata Maiga.

President Sisi reviewed the huge developments and efforts undertaken by the state in recent years to improve the economic, social and living standards, especially in slum eradication and the provision of adequate housing for about 1 million slum residents.

Sisi also referred to the campaigns aiming to eliminate Hepatitis C and end patient waiting lists, pointing out to the efforts exerted in the education sector, which is witnessing unprecedented modernization. also referred to the measures the state has taken to protect the women's rights, including imposing harsher punishment on those who circumcise their daughters or violate the right of girls or women from obtaining their legal share in inheritance.