Human rights not limited to political aspects: Sisi

CAIRO – 6 November 2019: President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi affirmed Egypt's support to human rights from a comprehensive perspective that includes economic, social, health, and educational rights, the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.

During the 12th periodic conference of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions held in Cairo, Sisi said that the concept of human rights is not only limited to political aspects, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said.

He affirmed, in this regard, the keenness to enhance efforts of continental integration, to meet the aspirations and developmental and economic ambitions of the African states’ peoples.

Radi highlighted Egypt’s pivotal role at the African work level, with the aim of improving the human rights situation in the continent.

Sisi referred to the Egypt's presidency of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions, saying that it comes as part of the Egyptian State's plan to develop the form of interaction with regional and international mechanisms concerned with human rights issues.

President Sisi earlier affirmed keenness to respect human rights in Egypt, saying, in a meeting with the African Commission on Human and peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) delegation in Cairo in April, that promoting human rights is one of Egypt’s priorities in its 2030 Vision.

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.