Sisi: Human rights system improving in Egypt

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi yesterday claimed that his country is working to reinforce human rights, citing the launch of the National Strategy for Human Rights earlier this month, Al-Khaleej Online reported.

The remarks came as part of his speech to the UN General Assembly being held in New York.

Al-Sisi, who has come under constant regional and international criticism over his regime’s record of human rights violations, said: “The National Strategy for Human Rights launched on 11 September was the best proof that Egypt is protecting and enforcing human rights.”

He stressed that the human rights system in Egypt “has recently witnessed large development,” noting that his country is keen to reinforce human rights “in the framework of respecting the principles of citizenship and the rule of law.”

Regarding Ethiopia’s dam project, Al-Sisi said Addis Ababa is not dealing positively with the negotiations, and is dealing unilaterally with the issue, putting stability in the region at stake.

“Egypt is one of the countries who are suffering from drought and its people are living under the water poverty line,” he said.

“The River Nile has been the main artery for Egyptians throughout history and this is the reason of concern for Egyptians,” he added.

Last week, the US administration decided to suspend $130 million in military aid until Egypt stops prosecuting rights and civil society organisations.

In Egypt, there are some 60,000 political prisoners who are systematically tortured, denied medical care whilst the use of the death penalty has skyrocketed.

READ: If Biden is cutting aid to Egypt over human rights violations, why doesn’t he cut aid to Israel?