afrol News, 28 January - The European Union (EU) and 22 other European countries today hailed the establishment of the National Council for Human Rights in Egypt. The Council, which is to be led by former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali, is seen as a having a real chance to improve the human rights situation in Egypt.

The EU in a statement together with 22 other countries today said it welcomed the nomination by the Shura Council of the Egyptian Parliament of the Members of the National Council for Human Rights and the appointment of the former Secretary General of Mr Boutros Ghali, to the Chairmanship of the Council, "thus paving the way for the actual implementation of the law deciding to establish such an institution."

Through the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, Egypt and other North African countries are closely associated to the EU, in particular when it comes to trade. In Europe, however, the generally poor state of human rights in these North African countries has caused concern and even protest, regarding a closer cooperation.

Egypt probably has the best human rights record among its North African neighbour countries. This made the formation of the National Council for Human Rights with a strong and profiled leader possible.

The EU today welcomed the formation of the Council as "a concrete demonstration by Egypt of its willingness to promote and protect human rights and is convinced that the independence and the high qualification of its members will contribute to the credibility of Egypt's human rights policy," a declaration by the EU Presidency said.

The statement further emphasised that the EU and Egypt have embarked on what the EU Presidency calls "a comprehensive dialogue, set out in the soon to be ratified Association Agreement, on all issues that are important to both parties." This also includes the human rights situation in Egypt, which by far has reached EU standards.

There was special joy that Mr Boutros Ghali had been appointed to the Council's leadership, and the declaration from a total of 37 European countries congratulated the ex-UN Secretary-General on his appointment and wished him "every success in his new office."

The EU also "indicated its readiness to cooperate fully" with Mr Boutros Ghali and his colleagues, and to assist him in promoting human rights in Egypt "in the most appropriate and effective manner."

The human rights situation in Egypt has been characterised by advancements compared to other Arab and North African countries. But although there has been progress, political freedom remains very limited, the press is restricted, torture reportedly occurs, women are frequently denied their rights, many courts do not operate according to international standards and homosexuals are persecuted without any legal base.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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