In the framework of Egypt’s fourth UPR cycle, TIMEP, together with the Law Society of England and Wales and Lawyers for Lawyers, submitted an alternate report to the UPR Working Group regarding the erosion of the independence of the legal profession and fair trial guarantees in Egypt.
Since the last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2019, Egypt has lifted its long-standing state of emergency, launched its National Human Rights Strategy 2021-2026, initiated a national dialogue, and reactivated the Presidential Pardons Committee. However, these initiatives have not brought about genuine and meaningful change. Egyptian authorities have since taken additional steps that have weakened judicial independence and further erode due process and the rule of law. The measures introduced under the state of emergency have continued to operate under other repressive laws and practices.
In the framework of Egypt’s fourth UPR cycle, the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, together with the Law Society of England and Wales and Lawyers for Lawyers, submitted an alternate report to the UPR Working Group regarding the erosion of the independence of the legal profession and fair trial guarantees in Egypt.
The submission highlights the ongoing policies and recent significant legal developments since Egypt’s third UPR cycle. It spotlights critical issues such as the lack of an independent judiciary and how laws, policies, and practices continue to undermine the legal profession’s independence in Egypt. It also addresses the absence of fair trial guarantees and the systematic persecution of lawyers, which significantly hampers their ability to represent their clients effectively. The submission encourages states to make recommendations during Egypt’s fourth UPR cycle to address these concerns and commit to its constitutional and international legal obligations, supported recommendations, and voluntary pledges made by Egypt since the last review.
- The Erosion of the Independence of the Legal Profession and Fair Trial Guarantees in Egypt: Joint UPR Alternate Report
- The Erosion of the Independence of the Legal Profession and Fair Trial Guarantees in Egypt: UPR Advocacy Fact Sheet
The UPR is a mechanism of the UN created to examine the human rights records of all UN member states. It presents a unique opportunity for civil society organizations to underscore and highlight critical human rights issues taking place in the country under review, identify recommendations the country should implement in response, and hold the country to account under its international legal obligations. Egypt underwent its first UPR cycle in February 2010, its second in October 2014, and its third in November 2019. Egypt’s fourth UPR cycle is set to take place in January 2025.
Sources
Egypt’s Fourth Cycle UPR: Erosion of Independence of Legal Profession and Fair Trial Guarantees
