Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened the second ministerial meeting of the Permanent Higher Committee for Human Rights (PHCHR) on Tuesday. The committee is chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and includes various national bodies and specialized councils focused on human rights issues in Egypt.
Universal Periodic Review
The meeting, led by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, primarily aimed to prepare for Egypt’s upcoming participation in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights, scheduled for January 2025 at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The UPR offers Egypt a vital platform to showcase its ongoing efforts to promote and protect human rights while receiving recommendations from other nations to enhance these initiatives.
Collaborative National Report Development
During the meeting, the committee reviewed the progress made in preparing Egypt’s national report for the UPR. This report is the result of a collaborative process that involved various ministries, extensive consultations with Parliament, the National Council for Human Rights, civil society organizations, and a group of human rights experts. This inclusive approach aims to ensure a comprehensive overview of the human rights landscape in Egypt.
Empowerment Efforts
The committee discussed proposed procedures and arrangements for Egypt’s participation in the UN review. The goal is to effectively highlight the national efforts aimed at promoting and safeguarding civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. This strategy aligns with the political leadership’s directives to empower vulnerable groups, including women, children, youth, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, in exercising their constitutional and legal rights.
Commitment to International Human Rights Mechanisms
This marks Egypt’s fourth participation in the UPR process, which occurs every five years. This engagement aims to strengthen national efforts to enhance the overall environment for human rights and freedoms within the country.
Advancing the National Strategy for Human Rights
In addition to UPR preparations, the meeting also addressed the implementation of the National Strategy for Human Rights. Participants emphasized the efforts to carry out and monitor this strategy comprehensively, covering its four main pillars to advance human rights in Egypt.
Diverse Government Representation
The meeting saw participation from a range of government ministers, including Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity; Adnan Al-Fangari, Minister of Justice; and Mahmoud Fawzi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Legal Affairs, and Political Communication. The attendees also included Diaa Rashwan, Chairperson of the State Information Service; Sahar Senbati, Chairperson of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood; and Sanaa Khalil, Acting Chairperson of the National Council for Women. Representatives from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and other national bodies also contributed to the discussions. Egypt’s commitment to human rights is evident in its structured approach to the UPR and its National Strategy for Human Rights. The ongoing efforts by the PHCHR and various government entities reflect a dedication to fostering human rights.
