Cairo Institute For Human Rights Studies

Founded in 1993, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) is an independent regional non-governmental organization which aims to promote respect for the principles of human rights and democracy in the Arab region. For this purpose, CIHRS focuses on analyzing the difficulties facing the application of international human rights law, disseminating a culture of respect for human rights in the region, and engaging in dialogue between cultures regarding the various international human rights treaties and declarations. CIHRS further seeks to attain this objective by developing, proposing, and promoting changes to policy and practice in the Arab region in order to bring them in line with international human rights standards. In addition, CIHRS conducts human rights advocacy at national, regional, and international human rights mechanisms, carries out research, and provides human rights education, both for youth and for established human rights defenders seeking ongoing professional development. CIHRS is a major publisher of information related to human rights in the Arab region, and its publications include a magazine, an academic quarterly, and scores of books dealing with various human rights-related issues.

A key component of CIHRS’ mandate is to help shape the understanding of and discourse around the most pressing human rights issues in the Arab region.  CIHRS then seeks to coordinate and mobilize the key players and NGOs across the Arab world to work together to raise public awareness about these issues and to reach solutions in line with international human rights law.

CIHRS enjoys consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC and observer status with the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights. CIHRS is also a member of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) and of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX). CIHRS has its main offices in Cairo. CIHRS was awarded the French Republic Award for Human Rights in December 2007.

Publications:

• Egypt: Legal Commentary on Regulations of NGO Law n. 149 for 2019 on Civic Associations February 25, 2021
• UN: Act on Reprisals by Egypt December 12, 2018
• Egypt: Redraft civil society law to protect, not punish, independent organizations November 14, 2018
• Aiding Repression in Egypt: Why the US Needs to keep Human Rights Conditions on Military Aid September 20, 2018
• The Militarization of Politics and an Authoritarian Revival: The Eighth Annual CIHRS Report on Human Rights in the Arab Region August 8, 2018
• The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies at the United Nations | 38th Session of the Human Rights Council July 19, 2018
• Egypt | Detention of Amal Fathy is state retribution for exercising the right to free speech May 14, 2018
• The unprecedented political use of the death penalty by the Egyptian government will only incur more violence January 2, 2018
• Egypt | With the blatant rigging of the upcoming 2018 presidential elections underway, Rights groups propose ten guarantees for free and fair elections December 20, 2017
• Egypt | A year after the law’s approval by the Egyptian Parliament Rights groups: No alternative but to repeal new association law, revision pointless November 19, 2017
• Egypt | Human rights & freedom of expression in Egypt – trapped between security services and the media October 4, 2017
• Egypt | New Law Will Cripple Egyptian NGOs June 2, 2017
• Egypt | Egyptian Human Rights Organizations: Together against the police campaign targeting activists through prosecution and detention May 19, 2017
• Egypt | Does Egypt’s President Really Want to Fight Terrorism? April 12, 2017
• Egypt | Circles of Hell from Tahrir to Zagazig: When will the Normalization of Sexual Violence against Women End? April 4, 2017
• Egypt | In meetings with British Foreign Secretary and EU Human Rights Envoy : Combating sectarian violence requires respect for human rights and justice February 25, 2017
• Egypt’s Attack on Civil Society October 14, 2016
• Egypt: President Sisi in a Crusader Fight with a Generation January 25, 2016
• Did Egypt’s Parliamentary Election just trump citizens’ rights? November 20, 2015
• From Restriction to closure of public space in Egypt Egyptian Government Clamps Down on Rights Groups, Seeking their Eradication May 4, 2015