Amnesty International (AI) has called for an independent monitoring and reporting mechanism to investigate the human rights situation in Egypt.
The rights organisation, in a statement, said that the Egyptian authorities were not actively working to improve their ‘appalling’ human rights record.
AI cited the conviction of women’s rights defender, Amal Fathy, to one year in prison as an example of Egypt’s rights record.
Egypt’s Court of Cassation confirmed and upheld Fathy’s conviction on 11 January, 2022.
She was arrested and detained for posting a video detailing an incident of sexual harassment she faced and criticising authorities’ perceived leniency toward the perpetrators.
‘The court’s decision to confirm Amal Fathy’s conviction and sentence her to a one-year prison term yet again shows that the Egyptian authorities are keen on whitewashing rather than improving their appalling human rights record’, AI’s North Africa Research and Advocacy Director, Philip Luther, said.
‘Once again, hopes for justice for an Egyptian human rights defender have been crushed by the country’s shamelessly flawed and patriarchal judiciary.
‘Criticising the government’s failure to address sexual harassment is not a crime. No one should face punishment – let alone imprisonment – for exercising their right to freedom of expression to call for safer environments for women. The Egyptian authorities must ensure that this cruel and unjust conviction is immediately quashed’.
According to Human Right Watch (HRW), Egypt has been experiencing its worst human rights crisis in many decades under Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s government, with tens of thousands of government critics imprisoned on politically motivated charges.
Freedom House, in its 2021 Freedom in the World report, classified the Maghreb country as ‘not free’, with the country earning 18 out of a possible 100 points.
Freedom House also noted that Egyptian authorities escalated repression of perceived dissidents throughout the year, including jailing journalists and activists.
Egypt launched its first integrated national human rights strategy on 11 September, 2021, to advance all human rights in the country.
The long-term strategy aims to enhance respect for and protection of all civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights stipulated in Egypt’s constitution, international and regional instruments ratified by the country.
However, AI noted that the actions of Egyptian authorities are undermining human rights rather than upholding them.
‘In their national human rights strategy, the Egyptian authorities praise their efforts to protect women’s rights, but their actions today show they are determined to undermine them’, Luther said.
Source: Amnesty International
Photo source: Dan H
