Establishing a national council for human rights in Egypt

The Egyptian Justice Ministry started preparing the draft resolution for establishing the national council for human rights.

Egyptian Justice Minister Farouk Seif El-Nasr told ArabicNews.com the council will be affiliated to the presidential office and will include 20 members for two year terms to be renewed.

El-Nasr said the council aims at supporting and protecting human rights, showing Egypt's civilizational role in this field, making research studies , presenting consultations to the concerned bodies and ministers in the country and establishing a basis for developing a human rights culture among the different categories of the Egyptian people. He said this council is considered the first Egyptian governmental recognition of human rights.

There are 12 non-governmental associations and centers that work in the field of human rights that are exposed to security and governmental harassment.