(AFP PHOTO / KHALIL MAZRAAWI)
The Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) reported on Sunday the establishment of the Syrian Community in Egypt and its founding board, charged with addressing the affairs of Syrians living in Egypt.
Representatives attended a meeting held in a central Cairo hotel under the auspices of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Al-Azhar, as well as former president of the Syrian National Coalition Ahmed Moaz Al-Khatib.
ANHRI stated that the opening words of the meeting on Sunday explained that the role of establishing the Syrian Community in Egypt is “to take care of the refugees and Syrian citizens in Egypt.” The remarks also pointed out the “exceptional measures taken against them” following the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi at the beginning of July.
The meeting also held an election for the “Constituent Community Council” which resulted in an 11-member council which is expected to “intensify communications with the Egyptian authorities to discuss different ways of cooperation.” The council is also expected to maintain close contact with civil society groups and humanitarian organisations.
As of 10 October there were 125,840 persons of concern inside Egypt as a result of the on-going Syrian conflict, according to UNHCR. Recently the Egyptian Centre for Social and Economic Rights and Amnesty International released reports deploring conditions faced by Syrian refugees in Egypt, claiming that some of those seeking entry to Egypt were deported.
Following Morsi’s ouster new visa regulations were put in place for Syrians entering Egypt, which according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a temporary measure relating to Egypt’s internal security.
