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European Parliament endorses the recommendations of the civil society about Human rights and democracy priorities in the Euro-Egyptian work plan
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Collective statement for 19 NGOs
The undersigning organizations on this statement welcomes the decision of the European Parliament calling upon each of the European Commission and the Egyptian government to enter the human rights and political reform priorities in the current negotiations regarding the work plan in the context of the European foreign policy. The decision, issued on April 6th, adopted the principle demands of the Egyptian NGOs, which were previously presented to the Egyptian and European parts at September 2005, detailed in many other briefs.
The European Parliament demanded that the work plan shall include measurable determined commitments in the context of a mutually approved timetable.
It confirmed the necessity of getting the civil society involved in the evaluation of the work plan execution, and stating the necessity of establishing a joint committee for the follow-up of the human rights.
On the other hand, the decision necessitated that the chapter of democracy and human rights in the plan shall include commitments to be adhered to by the Egyptian government, so as to stop working by the emergency law, administrative detention, taking safeguards to end torture, ensure the independence of the judiciary, freedom to form political parties and NGOs, supporting the freedom and independence of the media, reforming laws of elections according to the international instruments in such context, guaranteeing the right to religious believes, and putting an end to all kinds of discrimination between citizens because of sex or religion. The decision also held that there is no need to be hasty in endorsing a work plan during the Euro-Egyptian joint meeting due to be held in June 2006, as long as the plan didn't reach acceptable standards in the field of human rights and democracy.
As the undersigning organizations declare their relief regarding this decision as a document supportive to the demands of the Egyptian human rights organizations for the concerned parties at the start of negotiations, they are asking the European Commission and the Egyptian government to take enough concern in the recommendations of the decision, so as the work plan will be a serious supportive tool to the demands of the Egyptian people for reform and human rights protection.
Noteworthy, the negotiations between the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EU regarding the joint work plan started September 2005, and four rounds of negotiations were held in Cairo and Brussels. The two parties are striving to reach an agreement about a final draft before holding the Euro-Egyptian Joint meeting on next June.
The plan includes commitments towards taking the necessary procedures in political, social, economic and cultural fields, for trade and economic privileges Egypt will acquire.
Noteworthy, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was invited to participate in a seminar organized by some organizations about the negotiations last January, and to receive a delegation of civil society members regarding the negotiations and dialogue about recommendations and suggestions. While the European Commission responded more than once to participation in the seminar and meetings with representatives of the Egyptian and European civil societies in Cairo and Brussels, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn't attend the seminar or a dialogue with a joint delegation of the civil society.
The signatory organizations
1. Egyptian Civil Euro-Mediterranean Platform
2. Egyptian Association for Societal Participation
3. Habi Center for Environmental Rights
4. Center for Egyptian Women's Legal Assistance
5. Egyptian Organization for Human Rights
6. Egyptian Association for the Support of the Democratic Development
7. The Egyptian Center for Women's Rights
8. Awlad Al-Ard Institution for Human Rights
9. Human Rights Association for Prisoner's Aid
10. Center for Trade Unions and Workers' Services
11. Arab Human Rights Information Network
12. Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights
13. Ibn Khaldun for Developmental Studies
14. The Land Center for Human Rights
15. Karma Center for Development
16. Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence Studies
17. Hisham Mubarak Law Center
18. Arab Organization for Criminal Reform
19. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
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