Gap increase between Human Rights Organization and Council

Gap increase between Human Rights Organization and Council


The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) expressed its concern regarding the Egyptian government announcement to appoint a policeman as the Secretary General of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR). ANHRI is also concerned of this new approach to reduce the number of human rights activists in the Council.

The changes that the Shura Council has made on NCHR last week revealed the intent of the government to reduce the number of human rights activist in the Council. After the changes, human rights activists are almost absent from the Council. The changes also revealed the growing pressure from the security authorities. This is evident from the appointment of a former police general as the Secretary General of NCHR.

ANHRI stated that “the relationship between NCHR and the independent human rights organization has been strained and filled with mistrust since the establishment of NCHR. This is due to the silence of NCHR regarding extreme violations of human rights like the spread of torture, the increasing level of impunity and the strong violations against journalists and bloggers. Now, NCHR is increasing the gap between itself and independent human rights organization confirming their mistrust by appointing a policeman as a Secretary General, though, the police has a very poor record in regards to human rights”.

ANHRI added that “we were among the independent human rights organization that has called NCHR to play a serious role in the protection of human rights and not create a better image of the government in order for us to be able to work with the Council. Through this final step, the Council eliminated any independency it might have had and revealed the security authorities control over it. We declare that this is last straw; without independency and having a real contribution, we see no hope in reforming this Council.”

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