Ambassador Khattab emphasized that the report is a key tool for discussing and monitoring critical issues and complaints and is essential in identifying current challenges. She also noted that the report's release comes amid blatant human rights violations in Palestine.

“The report reflects the council's commitment to listening to rights holders and considering their views when making decisions, in line with the core human rights principle of prioritizing their best interests,” Khattab said.

The report evaluates human rights in Egypt, covering economic, social, and cultural rights, the “Decent Life” initiative, urban development programs, and the improvement of informal settlements. It also details the 3,412 complaints received by the council, with 77.5 percent relating to civil, economic, social, and cultural rights.

Ambassador Mahmoud Karem, NCHR Vice President and Chair of the Annual Report Committee highlighted Article 75 of the Egyptian Constitution, which grants citizens the right to form associations and civil society organizations. He stressed the importance of economic, social, and cultural rights as integral to the human rights system, particularly in Egypt.

Karem pointed to the ongoing release of activists, including those serving sentences or held in pretrial detention, as evidence of a genuine effort to foster dialogue and open a new chapter with all political forces. He also noted that during the reporting period, the Ministry of Interior launched a new strategy for managing penal institutions, including renaming sectors and introducing advanced mechanisms for organizing prison visits.

The NCHR closely monitored cases such as Patrick Zaki and Mohamed El-Baqer, submitting requests to the Presidential Pardon Committee for their release. Karem commended the council's cooperation with the committee, which led to positive outcomes and demonstrated the effectiveness of national mechanisms in addressing detainee cases.

The case of Alaa Abdel-Fattah

NCHR member Mahmoud Bassiouny affirmed that the council fully engaged with the case of activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, working at all levels and with relevant authorities. He mentioned that it reviewed medical reports confirming Abdel-Fattah’s stable vital signs, and he reiterated that the council's involvement is based on his rights as a citizen, not his prominence as an activist.

The Annual Report's Structure  

Walid Jad El-Karim, the chief editor of the NCHR’s annual report, explained that the report consists of four chapters and includes recommendations for improving human rights in Egypt. He emphasized that the National Dialogue has already produced a series of recommendations, which are now being implemented. The council sees this dialogue as crucial for advancing human rights and addressing unresolved issues.

The council received several complaints regarding blocking news websites and complaints from the Journalists' Syndicate related to freedom of information and the rejection of imprisonment for publication-related offences. The council received 2,461 complaints, including 19 concerning enforced disappearances. The NCHR communicated with the relevant authorities and received responses to over 60 percent of these complaints.

The report’s recommendations

The report’s recommendations focus on several areas, from legal reforms to social issues, calling for a more comprehensive implementation and monitoring of national human rights strategies. It stressed the need for clear indicators to measure the progress of these strategies.

The council urged the government to accelerate the implementation of the National Dialogue’s outcomes and expand its scope to include more societal stakeholders. It also called for consolidating national strategies related to human rights, climate change, and population issues.

The report advocated for a comprehensive review of the criminal procedure code to ensure its alignment with the Egyptian constitution. It also recommended expanding presidential pardons, particularly in cases where individuals are convicted of freedom of expression-related offences.

The NCHR urged a revision of the penal code's definition of torture to meet international standards, as outlined in the UN Convention against Torture. Additionally, the council called for completing prison facility development plans and better coordination among relevant agencies to ensure more frequent prison inspections.

To address economic, social, and cultural rights violations, the NCHR proposed establishing a sustainable mechanism for collaboration between the council and government ministries. It also recommended enhancing care institutions and correctional facilities for both boys and girls.

On the social front, the council called for adopting a poverty alleviation program based on international best practices and continuing the Hayah Karima initiative, which focuses on improving infrastructure in rural areas.