UN accuses Egypt of human rights abuse

Western governments accused Egypt on Wednesday in Geneva of curbing political rights and the rule of law when officials met in Geneva for a UN review of Cairo’s human rights record.

US Envoy Keith Harper said that Egyptian policies had allegedly restricted free speech, led to unfair trials for thousands of people, which had undermined civil society’s role in the country.

German Envoy Joachim Ruecker also re- echoed what other Western countries had said at the UN Human Rights Council, which periodically reviewed policies of all UN member countries.

He said Germany was concerned about the summary death sentences by the criminal court in Minya against 220 people.

Ruecker said this year’s trial against alleged supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi, called for a serious concern.

Egyptian Transitional Justice Minister Ibrahim al-Heneidi failed to address any shortcomings in Egyptian civil and political rights.

He said that the freedom of opinion and expression, the press and publishing had lately witnessed a wide leap.

Philippe Dam, Human Rights Watch (HRW) official, said both local and international human rights groups had criticised Egyptian authorities for cracking down on opponents and the media since the military ousted Islamist President Morsi last year.

He said seven of Egypt’s most respected independent rights organisations said they would not take part in the Egypt’s UN rights review, adding they feared that participation might result in reprisal or possible persecution.”

Dam said prominent rights activists in Egypt had been jailed or sought refuge abroad as the country’s non-governmental organisations faced a November 10 deadline to register under “a highly restrictive 2002 law” or face criminal charges.

He noted that Washington, London, Paris and other capitals had failed to confront Egypt’s dramatic reversal of human rights.

“They should make clear that silencing independent groups will hurt Egypt”s relations with its allies,” he said.