20th Session of the Universal Periodic Review
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As delivered by
Ambassador Keith Harper
U.S. Representative to the Human Rights Council
Geneva,
November 5, 2014
Thank you Mr. President.
The United States welcomes the Egyptian delegation.
We recommend Egypt:
1. Repeal or amend the Demonstrations Law (Law 107 of 2013), and the civil society law (Law 84 of 2002), which restricts freedoms of assembly, association and expression, to be consistent with Egypt’s international obligations;
2. Appropriately investigate excessive use of force by security forces, publicly release findings, and prosecute those identified as being responsible; and
3. Release those detained solely for exercising rights to freedom of expression or for membership in a political group, and ensure remaining detainees full fair trial guarantees on an individual level.
We are deeply concerned with steps taken by Egypt that have resulted in violations of freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, deprived thousands of Egyptians of fair trial guarantees, and undermined civil society’s role in the country.
We are concerned about the lack of accountability for those accused of human rights abuses – particularly incidents in July and August 2013 that resulted in a large number of deaths of Egyptian citizens.
Thank you.