CAIRO: Since the January 25 Revolution, the United Nations has been actively helping Egypt through its transitional phase without imposing any foreign agendas, according to Khawla Mattar, United Nations Information Center (UNIC) director. The UNIC held a press conference reviewing the UN reaction to the uprisings in the Middle East during the past few months and their plans for the upcoming period. "The United Nations is willing to help all countries in the development towards democracy, human rights and the development of accountability and transparency," Mattar explained. She pointed out that the UN had repeatedly warned of the consequences of poverty and lack of transparency in decision-making and elections. "[When the uprisings first started in Tunisia and Egypt] the UN announced that they're standing with the people and criticized the oppression," she said, noting that especially since the people were demanding their political and social rights in a peaceful manner. Matter noted that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited Tunisia and Egypt twice, which signified his support and dedication to the events in the region. "Both visits [to Egypt] were to say to the interim government that the UN wants to listen and play a role in supporting it in fulfilling its ambitions but not impose any foreign agendas," she said. According to Mattar, the UN agencies are constantly meeting with the youth and civil society organizations to discuss issues of economic development, unemployment, political reform, social justice and respect to human rights. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is also working on training judges and police officers, pointing out that the security forces have a different role to play after the revolution. In addition, the UN vowed to do all it can to emphasize Egypt's regional role, whether with regards to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict or the African front in relation to the Nile River. Regarding the media, the UNESCO is currently working on a study evaluating its current state in Egypt and will offer training workshops. "There are violations at the moment in the Egyptian media," said Mattar, referring to it as “the media of incitement.” "There are violations of individual rights as they are publishing information and photos of people who are not yet convicted of anything," she said. Mattar also referred to media reports accusing the UN of taking advantage of the current state in Egypt and other countries in the region in order to enforce foreign agendas. "The Secretary General clarified this by stating that we are here to listen and if asked, will offer any support to help on the road to democracy," she said.
