Egypt forms Human Rights Council

Egyptian riot police in Cairo, 20 August Cairo - Akram Ali Egyptian Prime Minister Hazem al-Biblawi announced on Thursday the formation of a National Council for Human Rights for Egypt, appointing Mohamed Fayek as chair and Abdel Ghaffar Shokr as deputy chair. Nageh Ibrahim, a member of the new council, welcomed its formation, saying he hoped that it would perform its role to the fullest. Ibrahim told Arab Today that the council will draft plans to monitor any human rights violations committed in the coming period. Chair of the Egyptian Organization of Human Rights, Hafez Abu Seda, also welcomed the formation of the new body, stating that the council had many challenges ahead due to the current crisis in the country. Abu Seda called on the Egyptian government to support the new council to perform its role in a balanced way.