Introduction

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is an important United Nations (UN) mechanism aimed at addressing human rights issues across the globe. It is a rare mechanism through which citizens around the world get to work with governments to improve human rights and hold them accountable under international law. Access Now, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights and ARTICLE 19  welcome the opportunity to contribute to Egypt’s Fourth review cycle. 

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who took power in 2014, has governed Egypt in an increasingly authoritarian manner. Since Egypt’s third review cycle, thousands of government critics remain arbitrarily detained and unjustly persecuted. Civil liberties, including press freedom and freedom of peaceful assembly, are tightly restricted. Enforced disappearances, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment continue to be rampant. Impunity prevails for grave human rights violations committed in 2024 and previous years. Women and girls, religious minorities, and LGBTI individuals face discrimination, violence, and prosecution for exercising their human rights. Authorities fail to address economic and social rights affected by the worsening economic crisis.

Constitutional amendments were adopted in a tightly controlled referendum in April 2019 further concentrated power in the hands of President Sisi, and authorized him to remain in office until 2030. The amendments also undermined the independence of the judiciary and strengthened the military’s role in civilian governance.

The 2019 amendments to the 2014 Constitution reestablished the Egyptian Parliament as a bicameral body in which members serve 5 year terms. The upper house, the Senate, consists of 300 seats and has no significant legislative competencies. Two-thirds of senators are elected (half through closed lists and half in individual seats), and one-third are appointed by the president. The House of Representatives comprises 568 members, half are elected through closed party lists and half in individual seats. The president has the right to appoint 28 additional members to the House. 

The last presidential elections occurred in a repressive environment, where opposition candidates were obstructed from conducting their campaigns and collecting the necessary voter signatures to meet the requirements for running. In February 2024, former MP Ahmed Tantawi, who attempted to challenge President Sisi in the last elections was sentenced to one year in prison on politically motivated charges, together with his campaign manager and 21 of his staff supporters. 

Since the last UPR in 2019, the situation has been characterized by a sharp and continuing decline for the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.

This submission addresses the following themes: