Rights groups accuse Egypt of increasing repression while defending its human rights record before the UN

Amnesty International has accused the Egyptian government of escalating arbitrary arrests and politically motivated investigations as it defends its human rights record before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

According to Amnesty International, Egyptian authorities launched investigations in January against human rights activist Hossam Bahgat and opposition figure Hisham Kassem. The organization also reported the arrest of the wife of detained cartoonist Ashraf Omar, following an interview with journalist Ahmed Serag, who was also detained. Additionally, a TikTok content creator known as Rivaldo was reportedly arrested for posting viral videos critical of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

“The timing of this crackdown—just ahead of Egypt’s appearance before the UN Human Rights Council—is deeply telling,” said Mahmoud Shalaby, Egypt Researcher at Amnesty International. “It sends an unmistakable message that the Egyptian government has no intention of allowing dissent or improving its dire human rights record.”

On Tuesday, Egypt presented its human rights record in Geneva as part of the Universal Periodic Review, a UN-led peer review of each member state's human rights practices. Leading the Egyptian delegation was Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Abdelatty stated that since Egypt’s last review six years ago, the government has implemented 301 out of the 372 recommendations provided. He emphasized progress in strengthening women’s rights and safeguarding the rights of children, youth, the elderly, and people with disabilities, as reported by state-media outlet Egypt Today.

While acknowledging some progress, the UK expressed concern that more work remains.

“The arbitrary detention of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders remains deeply troubling,” said Simon Manley, the UK’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva.

He condemned the continued imprisonment of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a British-Egyptian writer and activist, who was jailed for allegedly spreading false news. Despite completing his five-year sentence, including time spent in pre-trial detention, authorities have refused to release him.

El-Fattah was expected to be freed in September, but Egyptian officials claim that his two years in pre-trial detention do not count towards his sentence. His mother has been on hunger strike for over 110 days outside the UK Prime Minister’s office in London, demanding his release.