Analysis: Human rights in Egypt are multifaceted

CAIRO – 16 November 2017: Human rights in Egypt have been a controversial topic internationally for a long time. Several reports affiliated with human rights organizations accused Egypt of neglecting the file, or at least demanded that it reconsiders the practices of exact bodies within the state towards civilians.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has also been questioned by journalists during his official visits to other countries, until he delivered a clear message to the world during his previous visit to France last October.

In a new step described as “one towards democracy” by parliamentarian Margret Azer, Minister of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Omar Marwan announced in a press conference on November 16 establishing a new committee to reconsider human rights conditions in Egypt.

Marwan, who was assigned by Prime Minster Sherif Ismail to study the file and issue recommendations to the government regarding correcting the questionable conditions and concerns, came with the full report yesterday.

"Egypt’s human rights report issued by the ministry included both negative and positive aspects," said Marwan. He added that they were keen to reveal the negative aspects in the newly-issued report.

He also noted that the report tackles human rights in health and society since 2014 to date, adding that the report's final recommendations were handed over to the relevant authorities and ministries.

The report’s main recommendations include forming a committee to set a new human rights strategy for the country during the upcoming period to follow up with the current conditions, and determine what is needed to be adjusted, among legislation guaranteeing better conditions for a human rights framework.

Additionally, a separate unit for human rights will be established within every ministry and governorate to receive civilians’ complaints, and spread the needed awareness among people concerning their rights.

The committee that was recommended to be established will also be responsible for replying to international reports regarding human rights' conditions in Egypt.

Azer, who was announced as one of the selected members to join the committee, told Egypt Today that this committee should be considered a major step towards democracy. She added that the committee’s first meeting is scheduled for next week.

So, what will this new committee do exactly?
Cabinet spokesperson Ashraf Sultan said in statements to CBC television channel Wednesday night that the government was already concerned from the beginning with the human rights file; however “we look at it from a wider perspective to include the cultural, economic, and social rights as well.”

Sultan explained in his statements that the committee will review the state’s current legislations regarding human rights, noting that many points will be tackled by the committee darting that its discussions will kick off next week. Those discussions are set to include finding a way to spread awareness between people regarding their rights and involving civil society in their activities.

Taking about the separate units of human rights that will be established within every ministry, Sultan affirmed that their role will be more related to communicating with people and discussing their complains and suggestions.

“This step says to the world that we are ready to talk, open to the outside, and able to disucss everything with others,” Sultan said.

When did all of this start?
Marwan’s assignment by the government came shortly after Sisi’s return from France last month.

During a press conference with Sisi’s counterpart Emmanuel Macron, one of the journalists asked about human rights conditions in Egypt. President Sisi responded affirming that no officials in Egypt avoid answering similar questions. “We are very much keen on establishing a modern civil state,” he stated.

Sisi also wondered during his answer, "Where are the rights of the martyrs and their families in Egypt, and the rights of the three million citizens who work in the field of tourism and are affected by terrorism? We cannot limit human rights to political rights only.”

In a strongly worded tone, Sisi commented on the Human Rights Watch allegations presented by the French journalist, saying, "Why don't you ask me about good education, medicine, employment, housing and true awareness that we should instill in the Egyptian mentality? We do not evade the question about human rights, but we have to take into consideration that we are not in Europe; we are in a country with different circumstances."

Shortly after returning to Egypt, Sisi discussed what happened with the government, which assigned the job to Marwan.