| For a summary of Egypt’s review at the second cycle please click here. |
7th UPR session
Date of review: 17 February 2010
Date of report adoption: 26 March 2010
Document number: A/HRC/14/17
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SUMMARY SOGIESC issues during Egypt’s 1st UPR review |
I. SOGIESC issues/recommendations identified by NGOs
Right to privacy, marriage and family life
22. Fundación Mundial Déjame Vivir En Paz (FMDVP) noted that homosexuality and AIDS are two of the biggest taboos in Egypt, not only are they viewed badly by society but can also land you in jail. Similar information was reported by HRW [Human Rights Watch] and AI [Amnesty International].
II. Excerpts on SOGIESC issues from the national report
No references.
III. Excerpts on SOGIESC issues by UN agencies
Right to privacy, marriage and family life
20. In 2002, CAT recommended removing all ambiguity in legislation which might underpin the persecution of individuals because of their sexual orientation. Steps should also be taken to prevent all degrading treatment during body searches. In 2009, UNICEF reported that Egypt is classified as a low prevalence country for HIVAIDS, but has a potential concentrated epidemic among men having sex with men. In March and August 2009 three special procedures sent joint communications regarding five and twelve men respectively, who were arrested, some subject to intrusive and abusive forensic anal examinations, tested for HIV without their consent and charged under article 9(c) of Law 10/961 for crimes relating to conduct of a homosexual nature. The Government replied to the communication of March 2009 indicating that two men were charged with “habitual practices of debauchery”; that verdicts were not related to the defendants? “sexuality” or “sexual orientation”; and allegation that defendants were tried simply for being HIV positive or carrying AIDS was also unfounded.
IV. References to SOGIESC issues during the Working Group review
No references.
V. Conclusions and/or recommendations
Egypt noted the following recommendations:
97.5. Apply national legislation to individuals without discrimination based on their belonging to a religious minority or on sexual orientation (Switzerland);
97.7. Review national legal provisions, as e.g. those criminalising “habitual debauchery”, which are open to abuse for persecution and intimidation of persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity or of persons with HIV/AIDS (Czech Republic);
97.8. Fully implement Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides that “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,” and to recognize that “sex” also includes sexual orientation (Canada).
VI. Further information
You will find all documents relating to Egypt’s first review at UPR-Info and OHCHR’s websites.