The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) downloadable software was founded in 1985 and is now considered one of the oldest and most professional non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Egypt. Its headquarters are in Cairo.
EOHR has a national membership of 2,300 and has 17 provincial branches located throughout Egypt.
EOHR is a non-profit NGO working within the framework of the principles established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments regardless of the identity or affiliation of the victim(s) or violator(s). It acts against both governmental and non-governmental human rights violations.
EOHR is part of the wider international and Arab human rights movement. It cooperates with the United Nations human rights bodies, as well as with other international and regional human rights organizations.
EOHR’s legal status:
EOHR was registered at the Ministry of Social Affairs in 2003 under registration No. 5220/2003.
EOHR’s international status:
EOHR was granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2006. This consultative status enables EOHR to enjoy closer interaction with the United Nations by participating in the activities of the International Council for Human Rights, according to ECOSOC decision 31/1996. This decision aimed to reinforce the principles of the human rights stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Vienna Declaration and all other international human rights documents. EOHR is also a member of five international organizations: the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR), L’Organization Mondiale Contre La Torture (OMCT), Federation International Des Droits De L’Homme (FIDH), the International Commission for Jurists(ICJ), and the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX).
EOHR’s goals:
1. To provide full respect for human rights and the basic freedoms of all Egyptians and non-Egyptians who are in Egypt, according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. These include, in particular, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. EOHR defends the human rights of all individuals and groups against all forms of violation.
2. To reform the Egyptian constitution and legislation to bring them into accordance with international human rights covenants and conventions.
3. To promote the rule of law and full respect for an independent judiciary.
4. To guarantee the right to participation in public affairs without discrimination due to opinion, religion, gender, race or colour.
5. To guarantee freedom of opinion and expression, in addition to artistic and literary invention.
6. To guarantee freedom of belief, thought and religion.
7. To ensure a fair trial for all defendants before a competent judge regardless of the kind of charge. To grant legal aid to those defendants if possible and necessary.
8. To call for the release of those who are detained, or whose freedoms are restricted, due to the peaceful expression of their opinions or because of their beliefs, religion, race, gender or color.
9. To provide legal aid to the victims of violations against the freedom of opinion and expression. In addition, to assist prisoners and detainees who are subject to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
10. To ensure that prison regulations and the treatment of prisoners are in conformity with the international Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
Working methods:
EOHR adopts peaceful methods to promote and defend human rights. It believes that the promotion of human rights is a common goal for the entire world community and is determined to spare no peaceful effort in its struggle against human rights violations. In its fight for human rights, EOHR:
1- Sends fact-finding missions. These include visits to prisons in order to collect testimonies, and to obtain and document information about human rights violations.
2- Issues urgent appeals, press releases, reports and publications on human rights violations.
3- Raises awareness on human rights issues among individuals and groups through publications, conferences, seminars and studies.
4- Contacts Egyptian governmental and non-governmental bodies as well as international, regional and national organizations to seek co-operation, obtain information and take action to increase respect for human rights.
Organizational structure:
The General Assembly of fee-paying members holds supreme authority in EOHR. A General Assembly meeting is convened once every other year to review and evaluate the organization’s progress and to elect the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is the policy-making body within the EOHR and is led by the Chairman. It is made up of fifteen elected members, and up to four other prominent figures in the field of human rights can be invited by the Board of Trustees to join.
The Executive Board is elected by the Board of Trustees and consists of the Secretary-General, the Treasurer and representatives of the main committees of the organization. The Executive Board, led by the Secretary-General, is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the EOHR and for any decisions made in the interim period between meetings of the Board of Trustees.
EOHR has five substantive and inter-linked departments: the Field Work Unit, the Women’s Legal Aid Project (WLAP), the Research and Publications Desk, the International and Translation Unit and the Refugees’ Legal Aid Project.
1- The Field Work Unit. This unit consists of a team of lawyers trained in investigative work. They receive individual allegations of human rights violations and investigate each case’s merits. Much of their work takes place in the field, on the ground, in prisons, in court, in detention centers, in homes, anywhere information can be found. The investigating lawyer writes an official report on each case.
Then, depending on the nature and the merits of the case, the case may be removed from consideration or investigated further. Appeals and requests for information may be made to competent authorities and complainants may receive free legal counsel so that they can pursue a formal suit. All services made available to victims of human rights violations are absolutely free of charge.
2- The Women’s Legal Aid Project (WLAP). This unit manages human rights problems dealing with women’s issues. Such problems include marital and family issues and sexual discrimination. WLAP undertakes most of the work supporting campaigns that focus on women’s issues and coordinates an educational and training program aimed at increasing women’s legal literacy in Egypt’s poorer areas.
3- The Research and Publications Unit. This unit conducts academic research on human rights issues, analyzes the raw material of human rights abuses supplied by the Field Work Unit and the WLAP. This desk is responsible for producing EOHR’s reports and is our routine link to the Arab media.
4- The International and Translation Unit. This unit coordinates EOHR’s partnerships with other human rights organizations throughout the non-Arab world. This desk also coordinates our endless battle to equip us with the financial resources necessary to meet our objectives. Moreover, it is responsible for translating all EOHR’s literature into English so that it can be shared with the English-speaking world.
5- Refuge Legal Aid Project. This project was established in 2001 as a joint project between EOHR and the American University in Cairo. This unit provides legal aid to those who seek refugee status in Egypt and it works within the framework of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Current Campaigns:
- Campaign Against Torture
- Campaign Against Inhumane Prison Conditions
- Campaign for the Defense of Freedom of Thought and Belief
- Campaign to Restore the Rights of Egyptian Prisoners of War
- Campaign to Cancel the Emergency State in Egypt
Publications:
- A human rights magazine, Huqooq Al-Insaan.
- These publications are available for distribution. If you would like to receive copies of all EOHR publications or only select ones, please contact us.
EOHR is registered with the United Nations and has an observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It is also a member of four organizations that hold a consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). These are the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR), l’Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT), Federation Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme (FIDH), the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), EOHR has also been a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) since 1996.
EOHR board members:
Dr. Yahia el Gamal : Honor President
Mr. Hesham Kasem : President
Mr. Ahmed Abdel Hafez : vice president
Mrs. Anisa Hassouna : vice president
Mr. Hafez Abu Seada : Secretary General
Mr. Abu El Kasem El Nubi : Treasurer
Mr. Ahmed Abd El Malak. : Member
Mr. Gaser Abd El Razek : Member
Mr. Reda Tolba : Member
Mr. Samer Zaki : Member
Mr. Abdallah Abd El Lateef : Member
Mrs. Ghada El Shahbandar
Mrs. Fareda El Nakash.: Member
Mr. Mabrouk Abdel Maksoud.: Member
Dr. Moustafa Kamel el Sayed.: Member
Mr. Naser Amin : Member
