MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Egypt

21.11.2022 - (2022/2962(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 132(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Thierry Mariani
on behalf of the ID Group

B9‑0497/2022

European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Egypt

(2022/2962(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Egyptian Constitution,

– having regard to the Arab Charter on Human Rights, to which Egypt is party,

– having regard to European Council President Charles Michel’s declaration of 5 November 2020,

– having regard to the conclusions of the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), which was held from 6 to 18 November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt,

– having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the election of Egyptian President al-Sisi in May 2014 followed a popular overthrow of Mohamed Morsi from power, who had destabilised the country in favour of the Muslim Brotherhood;

B. whereas the Commission has financed associations such as Collectif contre l’islamophobie in France linked to the Muslim Brotherhood;

C. whereas although much progress remains to be made in terms of religious freedom, Egypt officially promotes religious inclusivity in the country and has a benevolent attitude towards Coptic Christians; whereas since 2017, the Egyptian Government has granted 2 526 permits to previously unlicensed Egyptian churches to allow them to be renovated or rebuilt;

D. whereas on Saturday, 11 September 2021, President al-Sisi announced the first national strategy for human rights in Egypt to upgrade the human rights situation in the country;

1. Underlines that progress remains to be made in terms of fundamental and human rights in Egypt, in particular with regard to the situation of imprisoned Member State citizens; calls, in this regard, for better cooperation between Egypt and the Member States;

2. Emphasises that Egypt is an essential partner in terms of regional stability; calls in this regard for better cooperation between Egypt and the Member States, particularly in the fight against illegal migration, Islamism and the foreign interference motivating this radicalisation by countries such as Türkiye and Qatar;

3. Underlines that after decades of persecution, including by the state, Coptic Christians now receive more support from the government and special attention has been given to improving their safety; condemns the fact that Christians are constantly being targeted by radical Islamist groups in Egypt;

4. Commends the efforts demonstrated by Egypt in the fight against Islamism on its soil; hopes for better cooperation between Egypt and the Member States to prevent radicalised EU citizens from coming into the country and to closely monitor their links and affiliations with radical Islamist groups, such as the Muslim Brotherhood and ISIS;

5. Calls for the EU to recognise the dangers linked to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, but also on European soil, and demands that any funding of this organisation be stopped;

6. Recognises the good organisation of COP27 by Egypt; condemns the hypocrisy of politicians travelling in 400 private jets to the climate conference with the aim of imposing additional restrictions on their citizens in order to combat climate change;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Government and Parliament of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.