Human rights improving in Egypt, FM tells UN rights council

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry said Egypt has made progress in the field of human rights but warned the UN’s rights council against applying “double standards” and “politicisation" in its judgements.

The minister addressed the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday, during the body’s 34th session.

According to a foreign ministry statement, Shoukry said that the council should raise its work to meet the hopes for international cooperation and constructive dialogue between countries.

He also added that the work of the council should respect the law as well the differences between societies, and stay away from "politicisation" and "cultural snobbery" as well the "selective targeting" of specific countries to criticise their human rights record, which constitute "double standards".

The minister highlighted the latest improvements in human rights in Egypt including amendments to the controversial protest law, under which many peaceful demonstrators have been jailed, and the presidential pardon committee assigned to review the status of young detainees.

He also stated that the country had achieved much in its democratic transition despite the increase in security challenges and the spread of terrorism in the region and the world

Source: Ahram online