High expectations
By
Salama A Salama
The establishing of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) has ushered in a new era for freedoms and human rights in Egypt. Finally, Egypt has an independent, non- governmental body to monitor the state of human rights in the country. The NCHR includes some of the most respected public figures. They have the international expertise, stature, and knowledge that well qualifies them for the job.
However belated, the move was greeted with satisfaction by human rights organisations at home and abroad. The NCHR has been given a mandate to defend freedoms, protect human rights, prevent violations, investigate breaches, and answer any criticism put forward and reply to any remarks submitted by international bodies.
Some of our legal and civil rights groups have voiced reservations about the law setting up the NCHR and criticised some aspects of the new body's formation and writ. There can be no denying, however, that the existence of a legally- established body mandated with responding to, and acting upon charges of human rights abuse is a significant improvement in the situation of rights in the country. The NCHR has a reputation to keep and expectations to meet. It will have to prove its neutrality, independence, and objectivity right from the start.
To do so, the NCHR should, for example, visit prisons and detention centres and ensure that prisoners are treated in a humane fashion. People under detention have the right to be treated in accordance with the norms and regulations applied worldwide. The NCHR should receive public complaints concerning citizens held in police stations pending investigations. This is a necessary move, considering the alarming rise in the incidence of torture.
The NCHR should do something about the government's reluctance to enforce court rulings, a problem that has assumed serious proportions. Government agencies should be compelled to enforce each and every judicial ruling to the letter. According to the emergency laws, still in force, the government should release prisoners who have served their sentences. The current practice of re- arresting people on the same day they are released is appalling, even by the standards of our security forces.
The NCHR should also set up election-watch committees and ensure fair and free elections. Such committees could be formed by enlisting volunteers. It is, moreover, a better option than having foreigners send observers to supervise our electoral process. The next Shura Council elections, due in June, would be a good occasion for such a system to be introduced.
The NCHR should put together a comprehensive system for receiving public complaints of human rights abuse, and for investigating and responding to such complaints. To do so, the NCHR should establish a mechanism ensuring that state agencies are obliged to release all relevant information.
Human rights problems in Egypt are known to all. Yet, it seems that our state agencies need to be educated in this area. The steps that will be taken by the NCHR will be crucial in gaining the trust of the public, ultimate measure of the new body's success.
