Human Rights Watch Accuses Egyptian Govt of Hiding Behind UN Ahead of COP27
Human Rights Reporters
2 min read
The Human Rights Watch has pointed accusing fingers at the Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi led Egyptian administration of hiding behind the UN’s upcoming Global Climate Change summit, Conference of Parties – COP27, to avoid providing answers to its probes.
In a statement released, the Human Rights Watch describes the Egyptian government as one of those typical autocratic government who often try to desperately prove their legitimacy when faced with criticism on the issues of human rights.
The HRW has decried the reaction of the Al-Sisi government of lashing out at their recently released research on how “Egypt has imposed arbitrary funding, research, and registration obstacles on the country’s independent environmental groups, activists, journalists, and academics.”
The foreign ministry is reported to have described the document as “deplorable, counterproductive, and misleading” claiming it was based on unknown sources and unidentifiable groups, whereas the rights organization floors this position by saying the Egyptian authorities to have woefully ‘failed to dispute any of the report’s central findings.”
As any responsible organization would operate, identities of interviewees for the purpose of the research are protected from victimization by unimpressed parties. Activists have requested anonymity to shield them from harassment and intimidation tactics which would include arrests and travel restrictions.
The Human Rights Watch suspects greatly that Egyptian government is seeking to deflect criticism of its human rights record ahead of the COP27 which Sharm El Sheikh is hosting in November, 2022 by hiding behind the UN.
The statement issued states: “Instead of responding to the serious concerns reported by Egyptian environmental groups, the government cited United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) rules to recommend additional organizations be admitted to this year’s COP.”
It added that their finding shows there have been behind closed door meetings where authorities ‘have asked several Egyptian groups to participate in COP27 events, mostly around “welcome” topics.’
While the Foreign ministry of Egypt is calling on participating countries to consolidate all efforts “to ensure … the implementation of global climate commitments,” HRW also holds Al-Sisi government to account to prove it is also serious about by easing its iron grip on civic space and upholding the rights of those who are working to protect the climate.
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