Egypt announces human rights strategy to mixed reviews
While the Egyptian government says the historic initiative is a good faith effort to set a path forward, critics say the strategy is primarily designed to quiet international critics.
After more than a year of consultations, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi launched Egypt's National Strategy for Human Rights on Sept. 11.
The Supreme Standing Committee for Human Rights, which was established by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in November 2018 and headed by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, was tasked with developing a new strategy for the development of Egypt’s human rights.
Essam Shiha, the head of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights who participated in the consultation sessions as a civil society representative, told Al-Monitor, “The strategy was the result of political will to improve the human rights situation in all its aspects in Egypt. The state adopted previous initiatives, such as the 100 Million Healthy Lives Initiative and the Solidarity and Dignity Plan, to improve the economic and health conditions of citizens.”
The National Strategy for Human Rights is divided into four areas: civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; rights of women, children, persons with disabilities, youth and the elderly; and education and capacity building in the field of human rights.
