Universal Periodic Review Session 48
For years, Egypt has been experiencing a severe and continuous decline in democracy and human rights. This has coincided with escalating economic and social crises for Egyptians, alongside ongoing political crises that have persisted for decades. The authorities have been adamant about imposing a one-voice policy, suppressing all dissenting voices, and refusing to engage in dialogue or listen to political groups, civil society organizations, and other community forces. They have created a hostile environment for freedoms and human rights, taken control of outlets for expressing opinions, and implemented strict security measures that violate the constitution and international treaties. Citizens have been systematically deprived of political participation, whether organizing themselves into groups or participating in general elections. The recent presidential elections at the beginning of 2024 were a severe blow to peaceful participation in public affairs, even through the tools and procedures imposed by the authorities themselves. Prominent competitors to the president were prevented from even reaching the ballot box by being barred from fulfilling candidacy requirements.
After the avenues for peaceful expression were closed, fleeing the country became one of the paths increasingly taken by Egyptians in search of a haven away from surveillance, security harassment, and the violations they and their families had suffered. However, the Egyptian authorities had a different intention, extending their reach to target these individuals even in their new countries. This included monitoring, threatening, and pursuing them through security measures, as well as mistreating their families and depriving them of consular services and official documents.
In this report, the organization presents its testimony and documentation of human rights violations related to the presidential elections and transnational repression. It also offers recommendations aimed at helping to resolve the human rights issues in Egypt, should the authorities wish to change their approach and respond to calls for improving their human rights record.
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