EU ANNUAL REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD 2023 COUNTRY UPDATES
Arab Republic of Egypt
1. Overview of the human rights and democracy situation: The Egyptian authorities have taken several steps putting greater emphasis on the importance of the respect for human rights. The implementation of these commitments, stemming from the National Strategy for Human Rights, has been slow and lacks an action plan to be followed. Human rights challenges remained widespread, particularly in relation to freedom of expression and the rule of law. The first phase of the National Dialogue announced by the authorities took place, usefully bringing to the forefront some political and social debates on human rights and a set of recommendations to legislators. Following the reactivation of the Presidential Amnesty Committee in 2022, releases continued in 2023, yet at a slower rate than the previous year.
In the same period, a number of new arrests were also recorded. Meanwhile, former detainees face challenges in their reintegration into society, with asset freezes and travel bans being some of the main hurdles.
The protection of fundamental freedoms and the civic space for civil society and human rights defenders, in particular freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and media freedom, have remained largely restricted. Concerns remained high about the use of the Terrorism Law against peaceful critics and individuals, and the extensive and indiscriminate use of pre-trial detention. Freedom of the press has remained significantly hampered – blockage of websites was not reversed and monitoring and prosecuting of criticism on social media continued – as
reflected in Egypt’s ranking (166th out of 180 countries) in the World Press Freedom Index 2023. Extensive use of the death penalty continued, while there are no official data to date
for 2023 summarising concrete numbers. As a result of the implementation of the National Strategy for Human Rights, the Criminal Law should be amended reducing the number of
crimes punishable with death penalty. Concerning freedom of religion or belief, Egyptian authorities have continued making visible signs of support to the Coptic community. Moreover, intermittent clashes between Christians and Muslims over places of worship declined and the legalisation of the ‘’unlicensed’’ churches proceeded in batches of ten every three months. The collective personal status law for Christians was finalised by Christian denominations and awaits to be submitted to the Parliament.
In 2023, Egypt continued to provide protection and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers. However, external shocks, including Russia’s war of aggression, the conflicts in Sudan and in Gaza, have further exacerbated the pressure on state resources devoted to socio-economic protection. Egypt has yet to adopt asylum laws.
2. EU action – key focus areas: The EU applied different tools ranging from diplomatic outreach, consultation with civil society and cooperation projects with the authorities and civil
society. In addition to socio-economic aspects, projects and initiatives focused on reinforcing a culture of human rights, capacity-building for civil society organisations, support to human
rights defenders, the rights of women and girls cultural rights, the promotion of tolerance and the protection of vulnerable communities, including refugees. Observation of trials was
among the tools employed by the EU and Member States, although diplomats continued to face restrictions in access.
Protecting and empowering individuals: In 2023, the EU was active with projects aimed at improving living conditions and promoting development at community level, particularly for the benefit of disadvantaged groups residing in informal settlements in urban areas. The Technical Education and Vocational Training sector has also been supported by the EU, by targeting Youth in the public schools/centres in order to be equipped with the skills needed for the labour market. The EU continued to provide direct support to Human Rights NGOs.
Building resilient, inclusive and democratic societies: In 2023, the EU continued to support the OECD, contributing to strengthen government capacities to monitor sustainable development
strategies and upgrade the administrative reform plan. In 2023, thanks to EU support, UNDP has started the implementation of a project aiming at enhancing governance and leadership
at the local level. On November 2023, a project financed by the EU was launched to assist the OHCHR to support Egypt in implementing its human rights commitments.
Promoting a global system of human rights and democracy: In August 2023, the EU launched a project with the UN OHCHR. The aim is to establish a partnership EU-UN and join synergies
to reinforce a culture on human rights in Egypt. The project aims, among others, at strengthening capacities of public officers and relevant stakeholders, monitoring and implementing the National Human Rights Strategy and reporting to the Universal Periodic
Review Mechanism and Human Rights bodies.
New technologies: harnessing opportunities and addressing challenges: In 2023, the EU worked on a project in support to the NCHR aiming to contribute to the promotion, protection
and provision of Human Rights in Egypt. The EU project includes the use of a digital complaints management system, accessible to victims of Human Rights violations in remote areas of the
country.
3. EU bilateral political engagement: Salient human rights issues were raised throughout the year at all levels in formal EU-Egypt political dialogue. The EU and Egypt had a constructive in-
depth exchange on human rights and democracy issues at the Association Committee in May 2023 and at the High level Political Dialogue in June 2023. On 5 October 2023, the European
Parliament adopted a plenary resolution on the human rights situation in Egypt, referring specifically to the Hisham Kassem case.
4. EU financial engagement: Significant EU bilateral assistance to Egypt was directed to the socio-economic sector and support to civil society. The EU’s cooperation in Egypt aims to support Egypt's ‘Sustainable Development Strategy – Vision-2030’. EU-supported projects in Egypt contributed to the promotion and protection of civil, political, social, economic and
cultural rights though global and bilateral means of implementation. In 2023, the EU delegation managed 24 projects (EU contribution of approximately EUR 20.4 million) in support of human rights and civil society through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights / NDICI Human Rights & Democracy, thematic lines supporting civil society organisations.
5. Multilateral context: Egypt has ratified all major international human rights treaties, but has not yet signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, nor the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture. On 2023 Egypt underwent the regular review by the UN Committee on Human Rights on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the periodic review by the Committee against Torture. Egypt was cited in the EU Statement under Item 2 at the 54st Human Rights Council session on 12 September 2023.