Member states of the African Union must ensure that Egypt’s upcoming chairmanship does not undermine the continental body’s human rights mechanisms, said Amnesty International today. “During his time in power President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has demonstrated a shocking contempt for human rights. Dozens of cases alleging serious human rights violations have been lodged against Egypt at the ACHPR. “The African Union member states must ensure that Egypt, as political head of the organization for 2019, upholds the African Union’s values and principles, including respect for human and peoples’ rights”, said Najia Bounaim. Amnesty International also called on Egypt to ratify key African Union human rights treaties including the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Protocol on the Establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 08, 2019 16:52 UTC