Responses to Egypt’s UPR ‘positive’: Reports

CAIRO – 13 November 2019: Diplomatic responses to Egypt’s interactive dialogue on its human rights situation have reportedly thus far been positive at the Universal Periodic Review.

Egypt’s presentation was attended by many diplomatic and non-governmental delegations, as well as media outlets.

The country’s “fruitful cooperation” with international mechanisms in the field was also praised by several UN member states.

Minister of House of Representatives Affairs Omar Marwan said before the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday that Egypt has adopted a policy protecting and supporting human rights.

He added that Egypt’s policy in this regard comes in accordance with the related international agreements and charters, adhering to the “values and principles of the country’s national identity.”

This policy observes the principles of equality and justice among all citizens, enhancing all forms of political, civil, political, economic, social and cultural human rights in a balanced way so that “no right can be observed at the expense of another,” he emphasized.

He pointed out that practicing rights is regulated by law in accordance with to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international charters so that this practice “would not violate the rights and freedoms of others.”

Marwan also said Egypt is is ready to “cooperate with professional organizations” concerning human rights.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian community in Switzerland on Wednesday organized a demonstration in support of Egypt in its fight against terrorism.

“We are living the golden age of Christianity in Egypt,” said Tharwat Kadis, chairman of the International Academy for Dialogue at the Synod of the Evangelical Nile in Egypt.
“We see this in the construction of the largest cathedral in the Middle East next to the largest mosque, which confirms the consolidation of the idea of citizenship under the leadership of President [Abdel Fattah] al-Sisi,” Kadis added from Geneva.

Kadis, reiterating what Sisi has repeatedly said in his speeches, that human rights also include the right to living, referring to people who violate these rights by committing and supporting terrorist attacks that claim innocent lives.

Mohamed al-Battout, member of the General Secretariat of the Egyptian Communities in Europe and a member of the Egyptian community in Geneva, said that “we organized this stand to support the Egyptian state.”

Gamal Hammad, an Egyptian expat in Geneva, said the Egyptian community “rejects all attempts to tarnish Egypt’s image” under the guise of human rights.

For his part, Hafez Abu Seada, head of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights and a member of the National Council for Human Rights said that Egypt’s new NGO law came in order abolish penalties on practicing certain freedoms.

He added that Sisi launched an initiative to amend the law to meet the aspirations of the civil society.

Maya Morsi, head of the National Council for Women, also said that Egyptian women greatly suffered during the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, which even sought to dissolve the council, pointing out that there is a political will to solidify the empowerment of women through legislation.