Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Monday that the government and people of a country are the only ones who have the right to assess the human rights situation in their nation, and that other countries have no right to interfere in Egypt’s internal affairs.

In a press conference held on Monday following the meeting of the quartet commission on the Palestinian cause along with his counterparts from France, Germany and Jordan, FM Shoukry tackled the issue of human rights in Egypt.

“Each society has its own conditions, according to the challenges it faces. Germany, for example, has a present that differs from that of 70 years ago, as does Europe in general,” he said.

The FM also said that no journalist in Egypt, whether Egyptian or foreign, has been charged for expressing their opinion, but that they have faced charges of committing criminal offences, and were given the opportunity to defend themselves before the Egyptian judiciary. Shoukry stressed that Egypt has an independent judiciary.

Concerning the incoming Joe Biden administration, Shoukry said that Egypt hopes its evaluation of human rights in the country will be real, fair and based on documented information, and not focus on groups that do not represent the orientations of the Egyptian people.

He also emphasised that what is being promoted concerning human rights in Egypt is done by organisations that pursue extremism and violence.

Shoukry called on the foreign ministers to tour Egypt and speak with Egyptian citizens to closely get acquainted with the reality of the situation in Egypt.

He also expressed his hope that other countries would consider Egypt’s specific situation and not resort to criticism or make unfounded accusations.

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