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Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egyptian human rights bodies, UN officials discuss bolstering cooperation in Cairo - Society
A consultative meeting was held in Cairo on Thursday, bringing together key figures from Egypt's human rights landscape and a delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) hosted the meeting, in which the Human Rights Committee of the Egyptian House of Representatives participated, according to a statement by the NCHR. The gathering aimed to strengthen collaboration and align efforts in advancing human rights within Egypt's legal and strategic frameworks. According to the statement, the discussions also focused on national efforts to strengthen the human rights system, particularly in terms of engagement with international mechanisms to enhance the role of national human rights institutions. The meeting also highlighted ongoing cooperation between the Egyptian parliament and the NCHR in responding to recommendations issued by international mechanisms. The statement explained that this cooperation aims to enhance the NCHR's independence and ensure its full compliance with the Paris Principles. Furthermore, the participants in the meeting discussed implementing the pillars of the National Human Rights Strategy, launched in 2021, and developing the legislative and institutional structure relevant to it. They also discussed the parliament's human rights committee's role, as monitor, overseer, and legislator, in addressing citizen complaints and strengthening communication channels with the National Council for Human Rights and civil society, read the statement. Moreover, the meeting addressed technical cooperation between the UN body and the Egyptian side, particularly in the areas of parliamentary capacity building, training on evaluation and follow-up mechanisms, and disseminating a culture of human rights. It emphasised, the statement continued, the importance of continuing constructive dialogue and joint coordination, as well as the need to provide technical support to stakeholders involved in promoting and protecting human rights. The OHCHR delegation included Jonny White, a Human Rights Officer at the Division of National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms in Geneva, and Zein Ayoub from the Middle East and North Africa Office. Attendees from the Egyptian side, the statement went on, included Mahmoud Karem, Chairman of the NCHR, and Hani Ibrahim, Secretary-General of the NCHR. A parliamentary delegation led by MP Tarek Radwan, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, included MP Mohamed Abdel Aziz, Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, and MP Nancy Naim, a Member of the Human Rights Committee. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
NCHR welcomes int'l human rights recommendations for Egypt - Foreign Affairs
The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) welcomed the international recommendations presented to Egypt as a vital opportunity to reinforce the country's commitment to the international human rights framework and foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and institutional reform. This came during the NCHR's participation in the session on the adoption of Egypt's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) outcome, held during the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. During the session, Ambassador Mahmoud Karem, chair of the NCHR, noted that the legal frameworks governing public freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, must continue to evolve under the Egyptian constitution and relevant international human rights conventions. He also stressed the importance of enabling journalists and media professionals to work freely in a safe and pluralistic civic space. This should be supported by constitutional guarantees and the rule of law, ensuring the free flow of information and promoting diversity in public discourse. Moreover, the NCHR reaffirmed its support for a comprehensive review of the death penalty. It advocated for limiting its application to the most serious crimes, stressing that it should be executed in full compliance with fair trial guarantees. It also called for a substantial review of the Code of Criminal Procedure to adopt a more comprehensive and rights-based approach to addressing allegations of torture, reinforcing a national culture that does not tolerate impunity. Furthermore, the NCHR stressed the urgency of reforming the criminal justice system by reducing pretrial detention periods and institutionalizing alternative legal measures, an issue previously highlighted in the council's policy paper submitted to the National Dialogue sessions. It also urged rigorous judicial oversight of detention facilities and accountability for those involved in any violations within these facilities. As part of its long-term vision, the NCHR recommended extending Egypt's National Human Rights Strategy to 2030. The proposed extension should be based on clearly defined implementation mechanisms, measurable quantitative and qualitative indicators, and inclusive partnerships with all stakeholders, including executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as civil society organizations. Such a framework would facilitate continuous evaluation, institutional development, and evidence-based policymaking. The NCHR also highlighted the need to amend its founding law to enhance its independence and respond constructively to the observations previously presented by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. It confirmed that it had submitted a formal report outlining the steps already taken to reinforce its independence and operational effectiveness as Egypt's national human rights institution. Additionally, it renewed its call for establishing an independent national anti-discrimination commission, an initiative it previously proposed as part of its broader agenda to promote equality, social justice, and empowerment of marginalized communities. Ambassador Karem also highlighted the importance of continuing to modernize Egypt's legal and institutional frameworks to protect human rights, ensuring complete alignment with the country's international obligations and constitutional principles. He reaffirmed the NCHR's unwavering commitment to advancing the new recommendations and collaborating closely with both domestic and global partners to enhance Egypt's human rights trajectory. "Egypt's active engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process represents a genuine opportunity to foster a robust culture of human rights, strengthen national capacity, and achieve significant progress in this essential area of governance and reform," he concluded. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Mada
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Mada
Former rights council member: Moushira Khattab's resignation is ‘belated attempt' to sidestep poor performance
Moushira Khattab has stepped down as president of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) as she intends to pursue a role at an international institution, the council announced on Sunday. Former council member Nasser Amin, however, described the move to Mada Masr as a belated attempt by Khattab to 'wash her hands' of what he said was the council's worst performance in two decades. The council was reconstituted by presidential decree in 2021, as the government worked to stage a shift in how it handles rights and political representation, launching a national human rights strategy, reopening the council, which is tasked with nominating prisoners to the president for amnesty among other roles, and beginning the National Dialogue as a forum for political dialogue. In a phone call with Mada Masr, Khattab declined to comment on the statement or name the international institution she intends to join. A source close to the former council head, however, denied to Mada Masr that her resignation had nothing to do with Khattab's future career plans. Since Khattab has already had a long career, an international appointment is unlikely, the source continued. They described her resignation instead as a long overdue development, adding that through her four-year tenure on the council Khattab has repeatedly voiced frustration over her inability to effect meaningful change in any of its human rights working files. The source cited Khattab's repeated but unsuccessful attempts to amend the law that governs the council in order to elevate its international ranking, as well as several requests she made to visit prisons which were ultimately rejected. Prison visits are permitted rarely, and often only to limited areas of specific facilities under authorities' supervision. The source put the lack of achievements down to the council's political position, describing it as lacking any real leverage. Its recommendations are often ignored, they added. Khattab was also increasingly troubled by the frequent criticism directed at her from various circles, the source said. Amin, who also heads the Arab Center for the Independence of Judiciary and Legal Professions, warned that the council is very likely to face a downgrade in its international ranking by the end of the year, citing its lack of independence and retreat from its monitoring and advocacy role. 'The talk of her seeking an international post is more wishful thinking than reality,' he said. On November 20 last year, the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) at the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) recommended the council be downgraded to B status, raising serious concerns about its compliance with the Paris Principles — particularly in terms of its independence, effectiveness and transparency. The SCA flagged the lack of transparency and public participation in the appointment of council members — who are selected by the executive arm of the government — as a factor undermining the body's autonomy and ability to operate free from government interference. It also criticized the council's inadequate response to major human rights concerns, including torture, enforced disappearances, conditions of arbitrary detention, as well as with regard to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. The committee also called for sweeping reforms to bring the council in line with the Paris Principles, including measures to reinforce its independence, amend its appointment mechanism, improve its response to human rights violations and ensure regular distribution of public reports for civil society and other actors to access. Khattab has previously pushed back against claims that the council lacks independence. In a televised interview in September 2024, she said the council had submitted a request for a presidential pardon for writer and activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, but claimed that the council had been drawn into the issue of its pending downgrade by a complaint questioning the council's independence filed by the writer's father-in-law, prominent human rights advocate Bahey Eddin Hassan. Domestic and international calls are currently mounting for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to pardon the detained activist and writer — whose mother is now hospitalized in critical condition 246 days into a hunger strike. Khattab had confined her efforts as council head to 'safe zones,' Amin said. She focused on awareness-raising and human rights education while steering clear of applying legal and human rights standards to document violations. Instead, he added, she echoed the narrative advanced by the state and its security agencies. The constitution grants the NCHR the power to represent victims in court — a power exercised by previous iterations of the council, including in the case of activist Shaimaa al-Sabbagh's killing. The current council, however, has ignored this mandate, which Amin said was a hard-earned achievement of earlier efforts. Vice President Mahmoud Karem assumed Khattab's responsibilities as of Saturday, the council's statement said, and he will continue in the role until its term ends on December 27. Sisi reconstituted the council under Khattab's leadership in December 2021 for a four-year term. Under recent amendments to the law governing the NCHR, the House of Representatives is permitted to begin forming a new council two months ahead of the current term's expiration. Nominations are to be submitted by universities, syndicates and other institutions, after which the president and members are selected and approved via presidential decree.
Jordan Times
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
NCHR participates in International Symposium on Forced Displacement
This symposium is part of a series of events to support the Palestinian cause and condemn ongoing Israeli violations (Photo courtesy of the NCHR) AMMAN — The National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) on March 11 participated in a symposium organised by the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions on the sidelines of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) meetings. The symposium was titled "The Response of National Human Rights Institutions to the Threats of Forced Displacement." The event was attended by numerous members of the Global Alliance, as well as representatives from civil society organisations, activists, and human rights defenders, according to a statement for The Jordan Times. In her opening remarks, Chairperson of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions and NCHR Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Samar Haj Hassan stressed that this symposium was part of a series of events organised by the network in collaboration with its member institutions to support the Palestinian cause and condemn ongoing Israeli violations. Haj Hassan highlighted the critical role that national human rights institutions play in addressing the crime of forced displacement by defending individuals' rights, ensuring their protection, and enhancing cooperation among relevant entities to confront this humanitarian crisis, which affects a large number of innocent civilians. She stressed that this symposium is a vital opportunity to unify efforts and shed light on the importance of the role played by national institutions in protecting individuals facing the threat of forced displacement. She stressed that safeguarding human dignity and safety should be a non-negotiable issue and that the responsibility to uphold individuals' rights worldwide falls on everyone, the statement said. Meanwhile, Haj Hassan chaired the Executive Committee meeting of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions in her capacity as the network's chairperson. The meeting discussed key issues related to strengthening and protecting human rights in the Arab region. It also reviewed the network's activities and assessed the progress made in implementing its strategic plans. The committee explored ways to enhance cooperation between national human rights institutions and coordinate regional efforts to address current human rights challenges. Extensive discussions were held on the Arab Network's priorities for the coming period, including supporting the capacities of member institutions, strengthening legal protections for human rights, and enhancing engagement with the UN human rights system. These efforts aim to promote justice and protect human rights across the region, according to the statement.
Al-Ahram Weekly
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UPDATED: Int'l, Arab rights advocates reaffirm commitment to Palestinian rights, oppose forced displacement - Foreign Affairs
The International Conference against the Forced Displacement of Palestinians reaffirmed Thursday its commitment to supporting Palestinian rights, resisting forced displacement, and ensuring accountability for crimes committed against them. In a final statement, the conference strongly condemned all attempts aimed at forcibly displacing Gaza's residents, stressing that such actions constitute a grave violation of international law and a contribution to genocide. The conference, which brought together over 80 Arab and international human rights advocates, aimed to mobilize regional and global efforts to prevent the forced displacement of Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip. Six human rights organizations organized the conference, which featured speakers from the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRIs), the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR), and the Palestinian Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights. This follows a series of events held to reject US President Donald Trump's recent proposal suggesting that Washington "takes control" of Gaza, forcibly displaces its native Palestinian population, and establishes a "Middle Eastern Riviera." This proposal, which cited Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab countries as potential destinations for Palestinians, has sparked global outrage and a collective rejection from Arab nations. It further affirmed the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, an inalienable right that no international or regional power can override. The statement urged the international community to end Israel's occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 'We express our appreciation and support for Arab and international positions rejecting forced displacement, particularly those of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE,' it said. The statement denounced Israeli policies aimed at imposing new realities on the ground through continued aggression, settlement expansion, and forced displacement. 'We hold Israel fully responsible for its crimes against the Palestinian people,' the statement read. Additionally, it called on the signatories of the Geneva Conventions to take legal measures to protect Palestinian civilians from war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. The conference urged the UN Security Council and the international community to take decisive action against Israeli policies and violations and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. 'We support unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza and stress the essential role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), condemning all efforts to undermine it through illegal legislation or decisions to end its operations,' it said. The statement further committed to the Palestinian people's right to reconstruction and a dignified life, free from external interference that hinders rebuilding efforts. 'We support Egypt's reconstruction plan for Gaza and urge Arab nations and the international community to support such plans,' it said, rejecting any attempts to obstruct reconstruction efforts or impose political conditions. The statement emphasized Israel's responsibility for the destruction and necessary reparations, committing to presenting the conference's outcomes to international organizations. 'We urge human rights organizations, media, and unions to expose Israeli violations and defend Palestinian rights,' it added. The statement also called on all Palestinians to strengthen their national unity in the face of grave threats posed by Israeli policies aimed at erasing their existence. Israeli terrorism Addressing the conference, NCHR Secretary-General Fahmy Fayed noted that forced displacement is a humanitarian crime and a violation of international law, to which the Palestinian people have been subjected systematically since the 1948 Nakba. Fayed also highlighted the Israeli policies of settlement and home demolitions, accusing Israel of attempting to alter the demography of the occupied Palestinian territories. Furthermore, he urged vigilance against Israeli and US statements about 'voluntary displacement" from Gaza until the reconstruction happens, affirming that such endeavours aim to liquidate the Palestinian cause. He said the concept of "voluntary displacement" ultimately leads to "forced displacement" due to the destruction of livelihoods. Fayed also called for supporting the Palestinians' right to self-determination and the two-state solution. Meanwhile, President of the AOHR Alaa Shalby expressed his support for the Egyptian and Jordanian stance against Israeli-American attempts to dismantle the Palestinian cause, emphasising its centrality to his organization's work for decades. Shalby called for concerted action to counter the threats facing the Palestinians, considering this a key motivation for the conference. He condemned "Israeli terrorism" and "American arrogance," pledging continued support for the Palestinian people. For his part, ANNHRIs Secretary-General Sultan bin Hassan Al-Jamali highlighted the danger of the forced displacement threats facing the Palestinians. He asserted that the conference aims to address an "international tyranny and oppression seeking to impose its will over peoples of the world and confiscate their right to self-determination, giving priority to its whims over the human rights' international charter.' Al-Jamali affirmed the Arab organization's commitment to defending Palestinians and strengthening their resistance, describing the Palestinian cause as 'the cause of all Arabs, Muslims, and every man of honour.' 'Stifling the Palestinian cause is humiliation and stifling of the entire Arab nation,' he asserted. The director of the Al-Mezan Centre, Issam Younis, also described the situation as the most dangerous since the 1948 Nakba. Since the onset of its war on Gaza, Israel has sought to displace the Palestinians toward the Egyptian border to empty northern Gaza, he noted. However, the Palestinians have returned on foot to their destroyed homes since the ceasefire began. "Instead of the displacement of Palestinians to the south, we are currently witnessing their return to the north,' Younis said, hailing the scene. He further highlighted the destruction and casualties caused in Gaza by the Israeli war, which has killed and wounded over 160,000 Palestinians. In addition, he praised Egypt and Jordan for rejecting the liquidation of the Palestinian cause and condemning the genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. The conference addressed four main areas of focus. First, it discussed enhancing the humanitarian response, emphasizing the need for international support mechanisms to alleviate the deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip. Second, it focused on accountability efforts and exploring ways to prosecute those responsible for serious violations against the Palestinian people under international law. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
