NCHR launches dialogue with civil society organizations on human rights

Al-Ahram Weekly

a day ago

The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), in partnership with the European Union, held its inaugural consultative meeting with civil society organizations.
The meeting, titled "Mechanisms and Frameworks for Cooperation and Partnership," brought together human rights activists and experts to discuss the NCHR's plan to promote human rights.
The event took place both in person and via Zoom, and was attended by several notable figures, including Mahmoud Karem, NCHR Chairman; Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat, an NCHR board member; and Hani Ibrahim, the NCHR Secretary-General.
Legal expert Negad El-Borai was also present, along with representatives from the European Union and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The meeting underscored the NCHR's commitment to creating a consistent dialogue with civil society and to encouraging civil organizations to participate in spreading a culture of human rights, enhancing community oversight, and engaging with human rights issues.
Karem emphasized that civil society is a vital pillar of democratic development and a key partner in implementing the National Human Rights Strategy.
He stated that human rights organizations act as a crucial link between citizens and the state by identifying needs, monitoring challenges, and proposing solutions.
Karem also highlighted the importance of an ongoing partnership with these organizations, recognizing their role in promoting transparency, accountability, and a culture of human rights.
He noted that the NCHR plans to expand this cooperation through capacity-building programs and consultative meetings, with support from international partners like the European Union.
According to El-Sadat, strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations and human rights activists is a core principle of the NCHR.
He explained that the council has recently intervened in various humanitarian and social cases, such as assisting Egyptian citizens abroad who faced difficulties.
El-Sadat also mentioned that the council has responded to inquiries from human rights organizations and other parties about the legal and health conditions of several pretrial detainees.
He confirmed that the council contacted relevant officials and directly followed up on some of these cases to ensure legal guarantees and human rights standards were upheld.
The NCHR's Secretary-General, Hani Ibrahim, stressed that building a trusting, sustainable relationship with civil society organizations requires clarity and discipline when developing and implementing action plans.
He noted that the council has organized a series of sessions and dialogues, led by human rights experts and running through November.
The goal of these sessions is to create a practical vision for a future action plan that establishes a participatory institutional model for managing human rights issues, he added.
For his part, Negad El-Borai emphasized that the council serves as an advisory body that supports human rights reform processes through close cooperation with civil society organizations.
He called for continued joint work to formulate realistic paths that activate constitutional provisions, develop practices in a way that meets citizens' aspirations, and consolidate the respect for rights and freedoms in practice.
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