By Mai Shams El-Din
CAIRO: Head of the Cairo Center of Human Rights Studies (CCHRS) Bahy El-Din Hassan declined a nomination to the new post of deputy interior minister for human rights, saying political will to reform is needed first.
“Although introducing a post … concerned with human rights seems like an attractive idea, but its political context is no reason for optimism that the post would have an effect on the situation inside the ministry,” CCHRS said in a statement released Monday, adding that the post would serve to “beautify a still-ugly reality.”
“This does not mean that no change took place in the security apparatus, but it is very limited … [this was] apparent in the violent clashes between protesters and police forces on June 28 and 29, when even some of the ministry’s orders were ignored,” the statement added.
The post, held by a ministry outsider, would be even lower than that of a consultant that would beautify current policies, locally and internationally, the statement added.
“What makes things even more complicated is the dissatisfactory Cabinet reshuffle which implies the lack of political will to change the policies of the toppled regime,” it added.
Hassan said he appreciated the good intentions of whoever nominated him, expressing his wish to perform his duty as rights activist through civil society. He cited his “bitter” experience with his appointment in the National Council of Human Rights (NCHR) which led to his public resignation in 2007. “Time has proven me right then,” he said.
