Egypt Reviews Human Rights Strategy Amidst Successful UNHRC Bid

Ministerial Meeting Addresses Human Rights Progress

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who assumed office on July 3, 2024, chaired the fifth ministerial meeting of the Supreme Standing Committee for Human Rights (SSCHR) on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The meeting focused on reviewing the country's national human rights strategy and discussing Egypt's successful bid for membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

During the session, Minister Abdelatty, who also heads the SSCHR, commended the efforts of member entities in finalizing the fourth executive report of the National Strategy for Human Rights. This report was submitted to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on September 30, 2025, and highlights an increase in measures taken to implement the strategy's objectives.

National Human Rights Strategy Under Review

Egypt's National Human Rights Strategy (NHRS), launched by President El-Sisi in September 2021, is a comprehensive five-year plan set to run until 2026. The strategy is structured around four main pillars aimed at advancing human rights across various sectors:

• Civil and political rights
• Economic, social, and cultural rights
• Rights of women, children, persons with disabilities, youth, and the elderly
• Education and capacity building in human rights

The submission of the fourth executive report underscores the ongoing commitment to monitoring and evaluating the strategy's implementation. President El-Sisi has also directed preparations for a new phase of the strategy following its current completion.

Egypt Secures UN Human Rights Council Seat

A significant outcome discussed at the meeting was Egypt's successful election to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term. The elections, held in New York on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, saw Egypt secure 173 votes. This achievement marks Egypt's third term on the council, with two of these terms occurring during President El-Sisi's tenure, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described as reflecting international confidence in Egypt's active role in advancing human rights globally.

Egypt contested the election as part of the African Group, alongside Mauritius and South Africa. The timing of the NHRS report submission was noted as being ahead of these crucial UNHRC elections. However, prior to the vote, some human rights groups had urged UN member states to oppose Egypt's candidacy, citing concerns over its human rights record.

SSCHR's Role and International Engagement

The Supreme Standing Committee for Human Rights (SSCHR), established in 2018, plays a pivotal role in coordinating and developing national efforts in human rights. Chaired by the Foreign Minister, the committee is responsible for overseeing the national strategy and engaging with international human rights mechanisms.

The recent meeting also addressed recommendations from Egypt's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session, which took place earlier in 2025. Egypt's participation in the UPR, led by Minister Abdelatty, demonstrates its engagement with international human rights bodies, with the country having participated in all review rounds since 2010. The minister emphasized the UPR as a forum for constructive dialogue and the exchange of expertise.