Joint Statement on the Renewal of Egypt’s National Human Rights Strategy

On March 3, 2026, a coalition of organizations issued a joint statement provisionally welcoming the Egyptian government's announcement regarding the development of a new National Human Rights Strategy. The statement underscores the shortcomings and failings of the previous strategy and calls for substantive improvements.

Background

The Technical Secretariat of the Supreme Standing Committee for Human Rights (SSCHR) highlighted the "notable progress achieved by Egypt since the launch of the [2021-2026] Strategy," emphasizing advancements in safeguarding human rights in their comprehensive and integrated dimensions.

Concerns Raised

Despite these claims, the United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT) has noted that torture in Egypt remains a pervasive problem, with a "lack of accountability" contributing to a "climate of impunity." The joint statement emphasizes the need for the new strategy to address these critical issues effectively.

Recommendations

The coalition urges the Egyptian government to ensure that the renewed National Human Rights Strategy includes:

• Concrete measures to eliminate torture and hold perpetrators accountable.
• Strengthened protections for freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
• Enhanced judicial independence and due process guarantees.
• Transparent mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating human rights practices.

The organizations stress that the success of the new strategy depends on genuine commitment and collaboration with civil society to address longstanding human rights concerns in Egypt.