Egypt’s Foreign Ministry has released a statement denouncing the statements of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al-Hussein, in which he said that Egypt’s heavy security measures foster radicalization. According to Reuters, Al-Hussein said during a news conference in Geneva that Egypt’s approach to curb militants only exacerbate the problem. In April, two attacks targeted churches in Tanta and Alexandria governorates, leaving 47 dead and more than 100 injured. The bombings, that took place on Palm Sunday, were claimed by the Islamic State (IS). As a result, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi declared a state of emergency for three months. Al-Hussein condemned the attack. However, he commented on the state of emergency, saying that it means massive numbers of detentions, reports of torture and arbitrary arrests. Al-Hussein believes these measures lead to enhancement of radicalisation inside prisons. “The crackdown on civil society was not the way to fight terror,” said Al-Hussein. In response to Al-Hussein’s statements, Egypt Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zaid said such statements from officials, who seemingly realise the responsibilities of the positions they are holding, are shameful. Abou Zaid added that these statements…
Egypt Slams UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for Accusing Egypt of Fueling Radicalism
May 2, 2017
