Note Verbale de l'Ambassade de la République Arabe d'Égypte à Addis-Abeba concernant le 46e Rapport d'Activité de la Commission Africaine des Droits de l'Homme et des Peuples

Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt Addis Ababa

URGENT

No: /2019- Date: 23 August 2019

The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Addis Ababa and to the African Union presents its compliments to the Commission of the African Union (Office of the Secretary General), and with reference to the latter's Note Verbale BC/OSGC/A/A1/455.08.19 dated 9 August 2019 pursuant to Executive Council Decision EX/CL/Dec.1065 concerning the corrected version of the 46th Activity Report of the African Commission for Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) presented to the 35th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council;

The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Addis Ababa and to the African Union wishes to outline the following observations on the submitted corrected version of the foresaid report:

1. The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt maintains its position –which was repeatedly conveyed on previous occasions to ACHPR- that it will not engage with communication 17/670 being presented by the Freedom and Justice Party which lost its legal status by a judicial ruling. The distinguished Commission is kindly requested to consider the annulation of this communication due to its contravention with the relevant provisions of the Rules of Procedures of ACHPR.
2. The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt reiterates its view about the lack of relevance and necessity of the section titled "Guidance Provided" as it addresses communications impending dialogue for furnishing additional information, and thus it is premature to include these communications in the report.
3. The Urgent Appeal mentioned at paragraph 8 in page 14 refers to alleged illegal detention and torture of Mr Walid Ahmed Shawky and Mr Mohamed Shams El Din Abdelhalim,

meanwhile the content of this appeal does not contain any reference to the second person mentioned above, and deals with allegations by another person.

1. The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt expresses its reservation and concern regarding paragraph xvii in page 24 under the section titled “Areas of Concern” which addresses an allegation of execution of 15 person in February 2019 based on confessions extracted under torture and in absence of guarantees of fair trial. The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt did not receive any communications from ACHPR requesting clarification or information to verify this allegation in a manner contravening with Executive Council Decisions Ex.CL/Dec.1015.

The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Addis Ababa and to the African Union avails itself this opportunity to renew to the Commission of the African Union (Office of the Secretary General), the assurances of its highest consideration.

To: The Commission of the African Union (Office of the Secretary General). Copy to: AGA Secretariat, Department of Political Affairs, Commission of the African Union.