Egypt: The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies: the activities of this group and the names of its directors
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 12 April 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | EGY38843.E |
| Reference | 4 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Egypt: The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies: the activities of this group and the names of its directors, 12 April 2002, EGY38843.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be2d30.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The New York Times described the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) as a "private group that has frequently clashed with Egyptian authorities" (6 May 1999). Country Reports 2001 stated that although the CIHRS had applied to be registered as a non-governmental organization (NGO), it was not registered by the end of 2001; however, the Egyptian government allowed the CIHRS to hold and participate in conferences (2002, section 4).
On 1 April 2002 the CIHRS was one of 10 "Egyptian grassroots organizations" that signed a petition demanding further international action against Israel following an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East (Knight Ridder 2 Apr. 2002).
The CIHRS has cooperated with other Arab human rights groups in organizing conferences, workshops and seminars to promote the advancement of the Arab human rights movement (CIHRS 11 Apr. 1999). In addition to producing the bulletin Sawasiah and a quarterly journal called Rowaq Arabi, the CIHRS has published books on its conference and workshop discussions (ibid.).
The CIHRS, in collaboration with the International Federation for Human Rights and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, held an international symposium on 26-28 January 2002 on the topic of terrorism and human rights (DPA 26 Jan. 2002). The purpose of the symposium, which included representatives from Arab, Egyptian and international NGOs as well as "experts from 20 African, Asian, European, Latin American and North American states," was to "arrive at a universal approach to combat terrorism and protect human rights" (CIHRS 25 Jan. 2002).
Bahey El-Din Hassan, director of the CIHRS (Knight Ridder 2 Apr. 2002; IPS 2 Mar. 2002; DPA 26 Jan. 2002), was one of the organizers of the UN conference on racism held in Durban, South Africa in August 2001 (AFP 23 July 2001). Hassan also played a major role in the organization of the April 1999 conference of Arab human rights activists in Morocco (New York Times 6 May 1999). This conference represented the first time that Arab human rights activists met in such a setting (ibid.), and brought together members of NGOs as well as "outstanding experts" in the Arab human rights field (CIHRS 11 Apr. 1999). The Second International Conference of the Human Rights Movement in the Arab World was coordinated by Magdi El Na-im of the CIHRS (AI 8 Sept. 2000).
The CIHRS's programs coordinator is Yousri Mustapha (CIHRS n.d.), Amal Abdel Hadi is the coordinator of the CIHRS women's program (CIHRS 11 Apr. 1999), and Abdel Mon'im El Jack is the assistant coordinator of the human rights education program (UNHCHR 27 June 2000). The CIHRS offers a two-month course on human rights designed for university students interested in this field (University of Fribourg 1 Oct. 2000).
Other issues of interest to the CIHRS include globalization, development, minority rights, the status of immigrants and refugees, the role of women in development, protection of the environment and the fight against AIDS and other diseases (FIDH 1 Apr. 2000).
Information provided by the CIHRS on its aims and activities can be found in the attachment to this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 23 July 2001. "Arab Activists Demand End to Israeli 'Apartheid'." (NEXIS)
Amnesty International (AI). 8 September 2000. AI Bulletin Vol. 3, No. 18. "News For Health Professionals." (AI Index: ACT 84/18/00).
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS). 25 January 2002. "Terrorism and Human Rights: Conference Papers."
_____. 11 April 1999. "The First International Conference of the Arab Human Rights Movement."
_____. n.d. "The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies." Correspondence received from the CIHRS on 11 April 2002.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. 4 March 2002. "Egypt." US Department of State.
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). 26 January 2002. "Symposium on Terrorism and Human Rights Opens in Egypt." (NEXIS)
Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH). 1 April 2000. "Appeal by European and African-Arab Human Rights NGOs to the Cairo Summit."
Inter Press Service (IPS). 2 March 2002. Emad Mekay. "Politics: Mideast Anti-Globalization Movement Looks for Partners." (NEXIS)
Knight Ridder [Washington]. 2 April 2002. Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson. "Anger at U.S. Handling of Mideast Crisis Grows in Arab World." (NEXIS)
The New York Times. 6 May 1999. John F. Burns. "100 Arab Rights Activists Hold Furtive Conference in Morocco." (NEXIS)
UNHCHR. 17 October 2001. "Cairo Institute for Human Rights."
University of Fribourg. 1 October 2000. Michael Cottier. "Ways into the Practice of Human Rights, International Law, and International Relations: A List of Internships and Post-Grad Studies."
Attachment
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS). n.d. "The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies." Correspondence received from the CIHRS on 11 April 2002.
