UN High Commissioner Office Condemns Attack on ECESR

The UN High Commissioner Office for Human Rights OHCHR issued a Press Release sent to media. It comments on the raid on ECESR Alexandria office on Thursday, May 22nd 2014.

This is the 2nd Time that OHCHR issued a press release after an Official Statement condemning the oppressive actions of the same Egyptian regime after the first raid on ECESR Main Offices back in Dec 2013.

OHCHR comment on the recent raid of the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) in Alexandria, attributable to Rupert Colville, Spokesperson to the High Commissioner:

This is the latest in a disturbing series of measures targeting civil society actors in Egypt.

NGOs campaigning for human rights, journalists expressing diverse views and women’s rights activists seeking participation in public life, should all be free from fear and free from harassment to exercise their rights to freedom of opinion and expression, association and peaceful assembly.

Not only are these rights vital for a vibrant and independent civil society to flourish, but they are also guaranteed by international human rights law, including under treaties ratified by the Government of Egypt.