While Egypt pledges to improve its human rights record in Geneva, NGOs remain sceptical, reports Doaa El-Bey In the face of growing calls to end the state of emergency the government adopted a defensive approach to its human rights record in front of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which concluded its first Universal Periodic Review of Egypt in Geneva earlier this week. During the meeting, Egypt pledged to implement 140 recommendations from 165 presented by other state delegations. The remaining 25 recommendations are still under review. Although Moataz El-Fegeiri, executive director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), regarded the Egyptian government's pledge as a positive sign, he noted that the necessary political will for change remains weak. "The government repeatedly comes up with excuses to justify its violation of human rights. It blames such violations on the prevailing culture, the global financial crisis, terrorism and a host of other excuses," he told Al-Ahram Weekly after returning from Geneva. The government continues to insist that human rights violations are individual acts and that political reform is moving forward, whereas civil society organisations argue abuses are systematic and meaningful political reform non-existent. The government delegation in Geneva, led by Minister of State for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Moufid Shehab, exerted every effort during the meeting to showcase improvements in the government's human rights record. Shehab justified last month's renewal of the state of emergency by stressing promises to apply it only in cases involving narcotics and terrorism. "Egypt remains committed to ending the state of emergency, and will do so as soon as an anti-terrorism law is enacted. The delay in passing such a law is due to its complexity," he told the council. Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Oman and some non-Arab allies, including Venezuela and Indonesia, praised the constructive manner in which Egypt had pursued human rights issues, particularly in fighting illiteracy, improving the situation of women and children, fighting trafficking in persons, and improving the plight of those with disabilities. The United Kingdom and the US were the only two speakers to express concerns about serious rights violations, including torture, administrative detention, violations of freedom of expression and restrictions on religious and political liberties. The US representative expressed concern over the renewal of the state of emergency and over reports of fraud -- including voters being barred access to polling stations -- during the Shura Council elections. The UK called on Egypt to end the state of emergency and ensure that any replacement legislation complied with international human rights standards. Egyptian and non-Egyptian civil society organisations highlighted serious human rights violations committed by the government. Hossam Bahgat, executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, told the HRC that the repeated renewal of the state of emergency and reliance on its sweeping repressive measures sends a clear message that the government views itself, and its powerful security apparatus, as above the law. "The result has been a pervasive atmosphere of impunity for human rights violations, particularly with regard to the systematic and widespread practice of torture in places of detention," he said. Representatives of other Egyptian NGOs highlighted the use of emergency laws to imprison bloggers and criticised the government for failing to respond to acts of sectarian violence against Christians in Egypt. They called on the government to lift the state of emergency, release detained bloggers and activists, and end discrimination against non-Muslims. "The state of emergency, the presence of military as well as civil courts, and systematic torture in prisons reflects an inability or unwillingness of the government to find solutions," said El-Fegeiri. Amnesty International criticised Egypt for failing to guarantee freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and the right to participate in public life and politics. Facing a barrage of criticism, Shehab acknowledged mistakes had been made and promised to address shortcomings. He concluded by pledging to set up an "institutional structure" to follow up the implementation of the 140 HRC recommendations accepted by the government. Created in 2006, the HRC, a 47-state inter-governmental body within the UN, is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights. Egypt's human rights record was first reviewed by the HRC in February. The review produced several substantial recommendations, including ending the state of emergency and replacing it with anti-terrorism legislation that complies with international human rights law. It also recommended that Egypt introduce definitions of torture that meet international standards and revise NGO laws to ensure the effective and free functioning of independent NGOs. "Improving Egypt's human rights record may be difficult but it is not impossible," says El-Fegeiri. What is required is political will at the highest levels, together with cooperation between all government institutions.
