Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Egypt Christian Berger, told Daily News Egypt that the EU welcomes the issuance of Egypt's National Strategy for Human Rights. He explained that the EU have been discussing this with Egypt for quite some time, adding that EU ambassadors met with the Egyptian Foreign Ministry over the matter. "They explained the details and the strategy's concept, and then we had a follow-up meeting with the Human Rights committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives, where we discussed the issues." The strategy is Egypt's first integrated and long-term National Human Rights Strategy, to promote fundamental rights and freedoms. The Supreme Standing Committee for Human Rights' (SSCHR) which is chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was responsible for drafting the new strategy. Berger told Daily News Egypt that the EU is also ready to help with the implementation of the strategy and its related legislation. "We have our own experience, which we can share. But of course, it's up to Egypt to decide what it wants to do in the end," he stressed. Berger explained that the announcement of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi that 2022 will be the year of civil society, is an important aspect. The new strategy aims to ensure the right of citizens to participate in political life and form political parties. The strategy also aims to promote and develop the values of citizenship and create societal awareness of the importance of respecting religious freedoms. During the launch, President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR), Nazhat Shameem Khan, hailed the launch of Egypt's first National Strategy for Human Rights. She said that the National Strategy is an important step for implementing international human rights criteria and guaranteeing human rights.
