Egypt presents its human rights strategy report in Gambia
Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
Mohamed El-Hefnawy, advisor at the Egyptian Embassy in Senegal, participated in the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which took place in Banjul, Gambia, in a regional and international context characterized by armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, and human rights violations in many parts of the African continent, in addition to the rapid transformations in the fields of technology, digital governance, and climate change.
Submitting copies of Egypt's human rights strategy
During his participation in the session, Al-Hafnawi presented copies of the National Strategy Report of the Arab Republic of Egypt for Human Rights September 2024 – August 2025, as well as copies of the Annual Report on National Efforts for Religious Freedom in Egypt 2025, to both the Commissioner concerned with the report of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Executive Secretary of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
45 years since the adoption of the African Charter
The session is of exceptional importance as it coincides with the 45th anniversary of the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 40th anniversary of its entry into force, making it a session of an evaluative and foundational nature at the same time, aimed at reviewing the outcome of the African system since its inception, and reaffirming the political and legal commitment of member states, with a focus on the implementation gap between normative texts and practical reality.
The session coincided with growing interest in linking human rights, peace, security and development, in light of the widening scope of armed conflicts in Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sahel region, and the resulting waves of forced displacement and humanitarian crises.
The attendees affirmed that the session represents a starting point for reviewing the gap between legal texts and practical reality. They also highlighted that the continental challenge lies in moving from normative commitment to actual implementation, in light of the crises of governance, terrorism and the deterioration of human rights.
The recommendations and directions of the participants in the session crystallized in emphasizing the need to move from normative discourse to practical implementation, and to enhance integration among African Union institutions in these areas to confront the challenges of artificial intelligence, climate change and forced displacement.
All the interventions also emphasized that these rights have become a part of the equation for political stability and sustainable development in Africa.
The participants stressed that the current time period is a pivotal moment in the course of the African system, requiring a shift from resounding rhetoric to practical implementation, and from mere political commitment to institutional action, in order to enhance the continent’s ability to protect the rights of its citizens and consolidate stability and sustainable development.
