EGYPT MAKING PROGRESS IN WATER, SANITATION – UN RIGHTS EXPERT

Egypt has made great strides in improving access to drinking water and is well-situated to address remaining challenges related to water and sanitation, a United Nations independent human rights expert said today.

"The level of political and financial commitment to tackle these complicated issues is to be commended," said Catarina de Albuquerque, the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, as she wrapped up an eight-day visit to Egypt today.

As a result of the Government's "good experience" in these areas in recent years, she said, authorities are better prepared to address obstacles, including extending access to sanitation, ensuring that the poorest can afford their drinking water, improving the quality of drinking water in more isolated and poorer areas and narrowing the gap between rural and urban as well as between formal and informal dwellings.

Among other successful initiatives, the Government, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other partners have set up a revolving fund to help the poor access clean water and sanitation through loans that can be paid back in instalments, Ms. de Albuquerque said.

"I saw that this practice has a decisive impact on the daily lives of the people concerned, especially for women and children," she added.

Such achievements in Egypt must be recognized, the expert stressed. "That it considers access to drinking water and sanitation a right for all its people is already to Egypt's credit."

Ms. de Albuquerque was appointed as a UN Independent Expert in September 2008, and reports to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council in an unpaid capacity.
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UN EXPERT FINDS EGYPT’S WILLINGNESS TO DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS ‘ENCOURAGING’

The willingness of the Government to discuss the subject of upholding human rights while countering terrorism is "most encouraging," an independent United Nations expert said today.

"I was able to have open and extensive discussions with key stakeholders regarding the country's counter terrorism law and practices," Martin Scheinin, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, said on concluding a visit to the Middle Eastern country.

The primary purpose of the visit, he explained, was to engage with officials and experts regarding a counter terrorism law that is intended to replace the state of emergency, scheduled to end on 28 May 2010.

During his four-day visit, Mr. Scheinin met with the Minister of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and officials in the ministries of foreign affairs, interior and justice, and also consulted with lawyers, academics, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and diplomats.

He also met with the Chief of the Egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court, the Public Prosecution and high-level representatives of the Egyptian Council of Human Rights and Parliament, including the President of the People's Assembly, he said.

"I will continue my dialogue with Egypt with a view to submitting a full public report on its counter-terrorism law and practice by the end of 2009," Mr. Scheinin said, stressing that the report will include finding and recommendations for consideration by the UN Human Rights Council.

In that context, he discussed with authorities his wish to visit Egypt again in the near future, he said

Mr. Scheinin, a Professor of Public International Law at the European University Institute, reports to the Human Rights Council in an independent, unpaid capacity, as do all UN Special Rapporteurs.
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