Statement at Egypt's Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Delivered by the UK's Permanent Representative to the UK, Simon Manley.
Thank you, Mr President.
The United Kingdom recognises Egypt's progress, including the 2021 National Human Rights Strategy.
The arbitrary detention of journalists, activists and human rights defenders remains deeply concerning. The continued detention of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, detained for spreading false news, who has now served his five-year sentence including pre-trial detention, is unacceptable.
We recommend that Egypt:
Releases Human Rights Defender Alaa Abd El-Fattah,
Releases all detainees held for exercising their right to freedom of expression and lifts restrictions on news and social media websites in line with the ICCPR.
Ensures the new Criminal Procedures Code guarantees fair trial standards, and ends the practice of 'rotating' detainees in pre-trial detention,
