ACHRS statement on Egypt conference

Amman Center for Human Rights Studies strongly agrees with the decision made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to postpone the Conference on Defining and Criminalising Torture in Legislation in the Arab Region,

that was supposed to take place in Egypt on 4.-5. September. The decision for postponing the conference was made after many independent human rights organisations critisise the location of the conference, due to widespread reports of the use of torture by Egyptians authorities. Moreover, many human rights advocates would not be able to attend the conference owing to the risk of being harassed by Egyptian Security Services or because they have already been banned to enter the country.

However, Amman Center for Human Rights Studies emphasises the urgency for a clear definition and criminalisation of torture in the region and hopes that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will reassess after further consultation with national NGOs and independent human rights organisation.