By Sarah El-Sheikh
The Egyptian delegation in the United Nations published a response statement rejecting the report released by the European Union about human right conditions in Egypt, according to Ministry of Foreign Affair’s statement.
Egypt’s permanent representative in the UN Amr Aboul Atta responded to the EU report by saying Egypt respects the law as it confronts terrorism and it guarantees individuals their rights in protesting and establishing human right organisations, in accordance with Articles 73 and 74 of the Egyptian constitution.
Aboul Atta said the number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) increased from 26,000 to 47,000 during the past five years. Security forces only arrest demonstrators, journalists, and activists because they are accused of committing violations against the law and then are sent to the prosecution and courts for trails.
The response statement also included that some civilians has been released due to presidential pardons, in spite of issued sentences against them.
Aboul Atta reviewed some of the human right abuses taking place in the EU countries including Germany, France, and Holland. He said these countries should not criticise Egypt since they have a bad record in human rights abuses themselves in various fields.
He referred to the Human Rights Commissioner of the European Council report published in October that revealed European countries’ detention of migrants and asylum seekers.
