On 9 July 2025, the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded. Held in difficult circumstances, the session was marked by a worrying decline in interest in the Arab region and a clear decline in civil society participation. The UN system as a whole is threatened by the growing impact of the financial crisis facing the United Nations and the funding restrictions imposed on it. Despite the danger posed by the shortfall in funding, the Council adopted a resolution on implementing the Council’s mandates amid the current financial crisis, encouraging the High Commissioner to provide updated information on financial developments and to explore low-cost alternatives to ensure that activities continue as planned rather than being subject to postponement or cancellation. During the session, the resolution on civil society organizations was passed but it failed to address the worsening funding crisis for human rights organizations or donor accountability, which undermines civil society’s ability to participate effectively. The session further witnessed an important decision to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and association for an additional three years.
During the session, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory presented her latest report, ‘Israel: From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Extermination.’ The report addressed the complicity of states and companies in supporting the economy of genocide and occupation and called for decisive measures, including sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) affirmed its adoption of the report’s demands and recommendations, and ensured the translation and dissemination of its key findings. CIHRS further expressed its full support for the Special Rapporteur in the defamatory campaign she has been facing from Israel and the United States following the report’s release.
CIHRS focused during the session on the human rights situation in three Arab countries: Egypt, Libya, and Bahrain. In an oral intervention before the Human Rights Council, CIHRS called for urgent international action to confront the widespread repression and systematic violations committed by authoritarian governments in Syria, Palestine, Libya, Sudan, and Yemen.
On 2 July 2025, the Human Rights Council concluded its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Egyptian government’s human rights record. Dozens of countries from around the world submitted recommendations to Egypt regarding steps to improve its human rights situation and end violations. However, in its response to the 343 recommendations, the Egyptian government pledged to take concrete and measurable action in only five cases, representing a response rate of only 1.4%. It rejected or ignored 134 key recommendations, including recommendations to release political prisoners, end arbitrary arrests, halt attacks on independent civil society and journalists, and end torture and ill-treatment. CIHRS participated in a side event organized by a group of organizations at the end of Egypt’s UPR session. The event addressed the Egyptian authorities’ handling of the review process, which included frequent denials, allegations, and circumvention of recommendations, refuting the government report’s false claims with examples and facts. Participants condemned the continued disregard by the international community and the Human Rights Council for the deteriorating human rights situation in Egypt, which only reinforces the regime’s brutality and gives it a green light to continue its violations.
On 17 June 2025, CIHRS organized a side event at the session, titled ‘The Buried Truth: Mass Graves, Extrajudicial Killings, and the Demand for Justice in Libya.’ The speakers emphasized that Libyan authorities, both in the East and West, view the exposure of violations as a hostile act and seek to silence human rights organizations. The speakers further underscored the current inability of the Libyan judiciary to protect itself from violence and intimidation, let alone hold perpetrators to account. The authorities’ repeated failure to cooperate with international mechanisms and comply with UN recommendations reflects the urgent need to establish an international investigative mechanism.
On 25 June 2025, in cooperation with the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, CIHRS participated in a side event to the session that addressed the escalating human rights crisis in Bahrain and the urgent need for fundamental reforms. Featuring prominent experts, diplomats, NGOs, and human rights defenders, the event focused on demands for accountability, the release of political prisoners, and the protection of civic space in Bahrain.
In addition during the session, CIHRS participated in a side event on 27 June 2025, titled ‘Attacks against the International Criminal Court and judicial bodies worldwide: Firewalls against impunity in the age of authoritarianism.’ Participants discussed escalating global attacks on independent judges, lawyers, and judicial institutions, particularly the ICC, amid growing authoritarian influence and diminishing commitments to accountability. The event was co-sponsored by several countries including Estonia, Ireland, Belgium, Colombia, Costa Rica, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, and Slovenia.
Share this Post