The UN Human Rights Council has chosen Egypt's permanent representative in Geneva for membership of the council's advisory committee starting in 2016. Ambassador Amr Ramadan was nominated unanimously by the African Ambassadors Council in Geneva to represent Africa on the committee, which also includes ambassadors from France, Brazil, Thailand and Albania.
The advisory committee is considering candidates for various positions that will be available during 2016, including president of the council, with a list of names eventually being made public.
The advisory committee was established pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, paragraphs 65 to 84, issued in June 2007. It was established to function as a think-tank for the council and provide assistance in determining its direction and activities.
It mainly focuses on studies and research-based advice, as well as providing suggestions for further research proposals. In its work, the committee should be "implementation-oriented", the scope of its advice limited to thematic issues pertaining to the mandate of the council, namely the "promotion and protection of all human rights". Due to its strict advisory role, the committee cannot adopt resolutions or decisions.
Egypt is also providing personnel for senior positions elsewhere in the UN. Last week, Egypt was chosen to chair the United Nations Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC). The council is responsible for ensuring that the Security Council takes steps to criminalise terrorist acts, and for cutting sources of funding to blacklisted groups.
