The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Abou Zaid, condemned on Monday the statements by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, on Egypt’s security and human rights situation. Abou Zaid said in a statement by the ministry that releasing such statements is “shameful”, “especially during the time when Egypt is fighting radicalisation,” adding that the UN Human Rights Council was not in a state of assembly, questioning the reasons behind the timing of the statements. Abou Zaid also explained that the state of emergency was approved in accordance with the constitution by the elected parliament, in an exceptional situation as terror is striking the country. The state of emergency was approved by parliament on 10 April in the wake of attacks on two churches on Palm Sunday. According to the parliament’s official website, the approval allows the army and police to take the measures needed to fight terrorism and protect citizens and institutions.

Source: Daily News Egypt May 02, 2017 11:37 UTC