Institute formalises relationship with Egyptian human rights institution

The Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights have just signed an agreement to cooperate in Cairo.

The agreement between the two institutions is the first step in implementing joint activities aimed at strengthening the human rights situation in Egypt.

“We hope to contribute to the strengthening of the council’s ability to fulfil its mandate, focused on monitoring human rights here in Egypt,” programme manager for the Middle East and North Africa at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, Niklas Kabel Pedersen says.

The agreement is the only second of its kind that the Danish Institute for Human Rights signs with a national human rights institution in the MENA-region. A fact that pleases the chairman of the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights:

“We are very happy to sign this agreement with our Danish sister institution. Especially because it is unique for the Danes here in the region,” Chairman Mohammed Faiq said at the signing ceremony in Cairo.

He was flanked by director of the National Human Rights Systems Department, Lisbet Ilkjær, who signed the agreement on behalf of the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

Difficult local situation

The human rights situation has received increased national and international attention in the most populous nation in the Middle East. Unrest and security issues have lead the Egyptian authorities to initialise stabilising measures limiting freedoms for the people.

At the same time, the country has seen a decline in activity by international organisations working with freedom and human rights.

“A big part of our enthusiasm is down to the future prospects of our cooperation. We do not plan to stop here, rather we are in for the long run, which will hopefully lead to human rights improvements in the society,” Niklas Kabel Pedersen explains.

For example, the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights hope to provide human rights training to police academies and police forces on how to control peaceful demonstrations. Part of the memorandum also targets improving human rights knowledge among prosecutors and mayors all over the country.