Egypt 2025 UPR Factsheet Egypt’s 2019 UPR Recommendations and Proposed Actions for 2025

This factsheet consolidates and evaluates the recommendations made by forty-two countries to Egypt during its 2019 Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR, a mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council, allows member states to assess and offer constructive feedback on each other’s human rights practices. Egypt’s 2019 review addressed numerous issues, with specific recommendations from each country to encourage Egypt to enhance protections in civil rights, justice, detainee treatment, freedom of expression, and protections for women, children, and marginalized groups. This factsheet presents an overview of Egypt’s progress and gaps in these areas, based on CFJ’s findings in partnership with various organizations, which have contributed to five joint reports with local and international bodies. Together, these reports provide a detailed understanding of Egypt’s human rights landscape and actionable steps for improvement as Egypt approaches its next UPR cycle in 2025. 

Central among the recommendations was the call to foster a more open, independent civil society. Many states expressed concern over restrictive laws, such as case No. 173—targeting foreign funding—which impose severe restrictions on NGOs and human rights defenders (HRDs). Travel bans, asset freezes, and administrative obstacles continue to hinder the work of HRDs, journalists, and activists. Recommendations emphasized the need for Egypt to create an enabling environment for civil society, lift restrictive measures, unblock news and social media sites, and uphold protections for freedom of expression and assembly. These measures are essential for democratic participation and transparency, as they support a vibrant civil society capable of contributing to Egypt’s socio-political landscape. 

Detainee rights and protections against abuse in detention also featured prominently among the recommendations. Many states urged Egypt to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) and establish independent monitoring of detention facilities. Reports highlight ongoing concerns, including torture, forced disappearances, and restricted access to medical care, family visits, and legal representation. Recommendations called for Egypt to align its detention practices with international standards, uphold fair trial guarantees, and implement oversight mechanisms to prevent mistreatment. CFJ’s joint reports advocate for transparency, accountability, and humane treatment standards to protect detainees’ rights. 

The death penalty was another focal point, with several countries urging Egypt to establish a moratorium on executions as a step toward eventual abolition. Egypt’s high execution rate, particularly in cases of mass trials and for individuals who were minors at the time of their offenses, has raised serious human rights concerns. The recommendations call on Egypt to impose a moratorium, review existing death sentences, and limit capital punishment to the most severe cases in line with international human rights standards. 

Additionally, the recommendations stressed the importance of gender equality and children’s rights. Many countries encouraged Egypt to reform personal status laws to ensure gender equality, provide stronger protections against gender-based violence, and eliminate corporal punishment of children in all settings. These changes would bring Egypt closer to meeting international standards and protecting vulnerable populations. CFJ and its partners highlight these issues, emphasizing the need for comprehensive legal reforms to foster a more inclusive and equitable society. 

This factsheet synthesizes the collective recommendations from forty-two countries and CFJ’s joint reports, offering a roadmap for Egypt to strengthen its human rights framework ahead of its 2025 UPR. By addressing these recommendations, Egypt has the opportunity to align with global human rights standards, protect civil liberties, and ensure that the rights of all individuals are upheld. The analysis and proposals presented here provide a strategic guide for Egypt’s policymakers, civil society, and stakeholders in their efforts to foster a more transparent, rights-respecting society. 

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