In what Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is calling a “new diplomatic victory”, Egypt won a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council with 173 countries supporting its nomination. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid, the election represents growing trust for Egypt at the international level. “Egypt’s membership confirms as well the international appreciation and welcome of the soundness of the political process in the country that moves forward with steady steps towards building a modern civilian state that gives priority to the values of human rights and democracy and the rule of law despite the difficult situation in the region that poses internal and regional challenges,” said Abu Zeid. Egypt, Abu Zeid said, will work actively with all members to develop the international system of human rights and promote a perspective that is not just limited to political and civil freedoms, but also include economic and social rights. Egypt is also expected to use its position to address conflicts in the Middle East and Africa. Egypt’s membership in the UN Human Rights Council is for the period between 2017 and…
