Annual Report of The National Council for Human Rights

Foreword - Cont.

However, the Ministry expressed its opposition to the NCHR regarding the amendment of some constitutional provisions concerning these issues, which are contained in the Penal Code and in the Criminal Procedures Law. It also renewed its reservation on the NCHR's call to terminate the state of emergency.

The reader will find in this report a description of the five-member committee, which convenes monthly at the NCHR's premises. Its members are the deputies of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and the Interior and the office of the Public Prosecutor, to continue the dialogue and review all issues related to human rights in Egypt and the means to protect and promote them.

The NCHR acknowledges the important step announced by the President of the Republic on Saturday 26 February 2005, concerning the invitation of the People's Assembly to commence the procedures to amend Article 76 of the Constitution regarding the election of the President of the Republic. This is aimed at moving from the present referendum system to a new one based on direct national elections within the framework of a choice between more than one candidate for the presidency of the Republic.

However, the NCHR realizes the difficulties that might prevent this course from fully producing the desired effect in the coming elections because of the tight time frame available till the start of implementation and the ambiguity of the criteria of eligibility for nomination.

The NCHR reaffirms that effective political participation in this area and in others represents an additional guarantee of the rights of citizens. The NCHR, moreover, reaffirms that all progress achieved by society to promote human rights and freedoms represents, in return, a guarantee of more progress on the course of real democracy and is a reinforcement of the sovereignty of the Constitution and the rule of law and order.

Fulfilling its duty as such and in the course of monitoring the conditions of human rights and freedoms in Egypt at the end of each year, the NCHR looks forward to receiving feedback from the readers of this report on the facts and viewpoints contained therein.

At the end of this foreword, the NCHR cannot but thank all those who have assisted in preparing and drafting this report. In particular it is grateful to the secretaries and members of the permanent committees, and the experts who reviewed the material and provided their experience in arranging the contents and in completing elements. Their efforts resulted in producing the first draft that the NCHR presented to a special committee of its members. This committee compiled the report in its final form for the NCHR's approval.

The NCHR, moreover, expresses its appreciation of the governmental and non-governmental bodies the Egyptian and Arab human rights organizations who took the time and effort to provide the NCHR with detailed accounts in many cases of their activities on protecting and ensuring respect for the rights of citizens in Egypt.

NCHR, represented by its Chairman, Deputy-Chairman, Secretary General, as well as its distinguished members and elite research workers, technical and administrative assistants, would very much like to thank all those who lent a hand in the production of this report. The UNDP, which has remained at all times close to the NCHR's activity and has been keen to provide the financial support necessary for the publication of this report, deserves special mention.

The Shoura Council, its Chairman and technical and administrative body also deserve special thanks for two reasons. First, for the unlimited help extended to the NCHR from the first day of its operation. Second, for the spirit in which this support was extended. A spirit of deep regard of, and extreme sensitivity to, and respect for the NCHR's independence in carrying out its activity.