Human Rights Council 48th Session of the Universal Periodic Review – Egypt

Mr President,

New Zealand warmly welcomes Foreign Minister Abdelatty and the Egyptian delegation.

New Zealand recommends that Egypt:

1. Increase government spending on comprehensive family planning and reproductive life skills for women and girls, and meet the Egyptian Constitution’s provision for 3% of GDP to be spent on healthcare.
2. Remove restrictions on civil society so that NGOs and human rights defenders can operate freely,  and unblock access to online independent news platforms and media,. 
3. Release all those detained for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of association or their right to freedom of expression, or detained solely for actual or perceived links to political parties or groups.
4. Establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty. 
   We wish the delegation of Egypt all the best for its review.

Thank you Mr Vice-President.