Skip to main content

Why Egypt abstained from voting on UN sex crime resolution

Egypt believes a country could suffer far-reaching consequences under the UN resolution.
Women walk by a United Nations peacekeeping armoured vehicle guarding the outer perimeter of a compound of a school used as an electoral centre at the end of the presidential and legislative elections, in the mostly muslim PK5 neighbourhood of Bangui, Central African Republic, February 14, 2016. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola  - RTX26WL3
Read in 

Egypt’s UN ambassador Amr Abu Atta created quite a stir by abstaining during an otherwise unanimous vote to punish and repatriate UN peacekeeping battalions that include personnel suspected of sexual abuse in their assigned countries.

There’s a lot of speculation over why Abu Atta declined to vote March 11 on the US-drafted resolution before the UN Security Council. Some imply he simply chose to swim against the tide to become famous. But there are many alternative reasons.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.