“Aqeel”: We recommend quickly issuing the Information Circulation Law to complete the system of protecting freedoms

The Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights and the Egyptian Coalition for the Universal Periodic Review held a panel discussion on “Legislation on Freedoms in Light of International Standards and the National Human Rights Strategy,” as part of preparations for preparing reports to be submitted to the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, in the presence of media figures, journalists, and academics in the field. The media and some civil society representatives who are members of the Egyptian Coalition for the Universal Periodic Review.

The discussion panel discussed legislation related to freedoms and the extent of their compatibility with international human rights standards. The panel also discussed the role of civil society in strengthening legislation related to freedoms in Egypt, and the legislative and oversight role of the House of Representatives related to freedoms within the framework of Egypt’s international pledges and the national strategy for human rights.

In the same context, Ayman Aqeel said: The human rights expert and head of the Maat Foundation, said that Egypt’s file will be discussed within the universal periodic review mechanism of the International Human Rights Council in Geneva in January 2025, adding that civil society organizations will submit their reports until July 2024, stressing that Egypt has an arsenal of legislation that guarantees public freedoms, The human rights expert stressed that civil society has a great burden to strengthen legislation related to freedoms, communicate with political parties, raise awareness, and follow up on the implementation of legislation.

 Aqeel recommended that Parliament, especially the Human Rights Committee, classify Egyptian recommendations and pledges, follow up on the implementation and evaluation of laws, and become fully aware of its oversight and legislative role. He also called on everyone to strive to implement the targeted results of the sub-item on freedom of opinion and expression in the National Human Rights Strategy.

For her part, Dr. said: Hanan Youssef; Dean of the Faculty of Information at the Naval Academy, said that the section on freedoms in the constitution and its title is an indication of the link between freedom and responsibility, as freedom is not absolute and must be regulated. She pointed out that the National Human Rights Strategy is integrated, but it did not receive national media coverage, which deprived it of societal mobility.

While Abdul-Jawad Abu Kab, President of the Media and Digital Transformation Foundation, discussed legislation related to freedoms in the National Human Rights Strategy, pointing to the role of human rights units in ministries and governorates in consolidating the principle of human rights in general, in addition to the presence of a number of ministries that have developed in the field of human rights. Such as the situation of prisons in the Ministry of Interior, as well as the presidential pardon reliefs. Abu Kab recommended developing a plan with specific dates to evaluate the implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy, taking into account geographical justice.

Media expert Magdy Helmy also addressed the binding force of international agreements in Egypt, and pointed out that civil society is moving towards positive media, through training for training journalists and media professionals, stressing the importance of media education and that human rights activities must be applied in schools through activities and games, not curricula. . He pointed out that next year represents the third decade for human rights education at the United Nations, and constitutes ready-made materials that have been developed since 2005 that can be used.

Dr. indicated. Ghada Waked, professor of media and editor-in-chief of Al-Gomhouria newspaper, stressed the need to work on developing legislative texts related to media education, and integrating media education into school curricula, through coordination between media specialists and teachers, as well as strengthening national legislative frameworks, training journalists, and eradicating information literacy. And support the independence of the media.

Marina Sabry explained: Director of the International Mechanisms Unit at the Maat Foundation, and coordinator of the event, said that this seminar comes within the framework of the keenness of the Maat Foundation and the Egyptian Alliance for the Universal Periodic Review to hold serious discussions among all stakeholders to come up with practical recommendations that can be included in the coalition’s reports.

The panel discussion came up with a number of recommendations, the most important of which is speeding up the issuance of the Information Circulation Law, and working to enhance the capabilities and build the capabilities of journalists working in the field of media by establishing an academy to train media professionals to communicate with international mechanisms to prepare international journalists, in addition to creating platforms that promote human rights and the relationship between rights, duties and responsibilities. Consider establishing a coordination mechanism between the government and civil society organizations to allow participation in discussing draft laws, especially those related to freedoms, and consider forming advisory committees that will serve as a link between the House of Representatives and its various committees and civil society organizations.