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Category: Establishment

Published on Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:21

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 Law No. 94 of 2003
Promulgating The National Council for Human Rights 

In the name of the people, 
The President of the Republic 
The People's Assembly has passed the following law, 
And it is hereby promulgated: 
Article One 
A council named "The National Council for Human Rights", under the auspices of the Shoura Council, shall hereby be established to further the protection, set the values, raise the awareness, and ensure the observance of human rights. 
The Council shall have a legal personality, have its headquarters in Cairo, and may have branches and offices in other Governorates of the Arab republic of Egypt. 
The Council shall independently perform its duties, activities and functions. 

Article Two 
The Council shall be composed of a Chairman, one Deputy Chairman, and 25 public figures well known for their experience and interest in human rights' issues, or for their distinguished performance in this field. 
The Deputy Chairman shall substitute for the Chairman in the latter's absence. 
A decree of the Shoura Council shall establish the Council for three years. 

Article Three 
To achieve its goals, the Council shall: 
1. Prepare and propose the means of implementation for a national action plan designed to further the protection of human rights in the Arab republic of Egypt. 

2. Provide competent bodies with recommendations and advice on all means to protect further and promote human rights. 

3. Provide opinions, recommendations, and advice on matters referred to it by the competent authorities and bodies concerning the protection and promotion of human rights. 

4. Receive and examine complaints concerning protection of human rights, refer, at its discretion, any such complaints to the competent bodies and follow-up with them, advise the parties concerned with the matter of the legal procedures to be followed and assist them in such regard, or settle such complaints with the relevant bodies. 

5. Monitor the application of international human rights agreements and conventions, as well as provide the concerned authorities with the proposals, notes, and recommendations necessary for the proper application of such agreements and conventions. 

6. Coordinate with international and local organizations and agencies concerned in human rights in matters that would help achieve the objectives of and promote the relationships of such organizations and agencies with the Council. 

7. Participate with Egyptian delegations in forums and meetings of regional and international organizations that are concerned with the protection of human rights. 

8. Assist by way of advice in preparing reports that the state undertakes to present regularly to human rights committees and organs in the application of international conventions, and respond to inquiries made by such committees and organizations. 

9. Coordinate with public agencies concerned with human rights, and cooperate with the National Council for Women, the National Council for Children and Motherhood, and other interested councils and agencies. 

10. Disseminate and raise public awareness on the culture of human rights through the assistance of institutions and organs related to education, culture, media and information. 

11. Hold conferences, symposia, and seminars on subjects related to human rights issues or related matters. 

12. Make the recommendations necessary to support institutional and technical capacities in the fields of human rights, including the technical education and training of employees of the state bodies related to civil liberties, and economic, social, and cultural rights, with a view to increase the efficiency of such employees. 

13. Issue bulletins, magazines, and printed material concerning the council, along with its objectives and functions. 

14. Issue reports on human rights conditions, and developments made by the Arab Republic of Egypt in such regard at governmental and community levels. 

Article Four 
State agencies shall assist the Council in discharging its duties and shall facilitate performance by the Council of its functions. State agencies shall provide the Council with the data or information required by the Council and related to such functions. 
The Council may invite any representative of such agencies to participate in its work and meetings. Such representatives shall not be entitled to vote. 

Article Five 
The Council shall employ sufficient numbers of competent employees in addition to experts and professionals, as necessary to perform its duties and functions. 

Article Six 
The Council shall convene at the invitation of its Chairman at least once a month, and whenever the need so arises. The Council shall issue such invitation if so requested by one-third of its members. 
The meeting shall be valid if attended by two-thirds of its members. Resolutions shall be adopted by a majority of the votes of the members present at the meeting. In the event of a tie, the party comprising the Chairman shall prevail. 
The Chairman of the Council may invite to council meeting those whose opinion or experience the Chairman deems appropriate to seek concerning a matter brought forward for review or discussions. Any such person shall not be entitled to vote. 

Article Seven 
The President of the Republic may refer whatever issues the President deems appropriate to the Council and which relate to the functions of the Council for review by opinion of the Council. The President of the Republic may convene the Council if he deems so necessary. 

Article Eight 
To perform the functions of the Council, permanent committees shall be formed from among the members of the Council as follows: 
1. Civil and Political Rights Committee 
2. Social Rights Committee 
3. Economic Rights Committee 
4. Cultural Rights Committee 
5. Legislative Affairs Committee 
6. International Relations Committee 
The Council may set up other permanent committees from among its members by a resolution adopted by a majority of two-thirds of its members. 
The Secretariat of each committee shall be headed by one member of the Council's members. When reviewing any of the issues entrusted to it, a committee may seek the assistance of any person whose experience deems appropriate. This person shall not be entitled to vote. 

Article Nine 
The Council shall have a Secretary-General who shall be in charge of the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the Council, of the general supervision of the technical secretariat and personal affairs, and the financial and administrative affairs of the Council. The aforesaid shall be pursuant to the regulations of the Council. 
A decision by the Council shall appoint the secretary general from among the members of the Council or otherwise. The Secretary-General shall be appointed for a term that is equal to the term of the Council. If the Secretary-General is a person other than a Councilmember, he may attend its meetings without having a right to vote. 

Article Ten 
The Chairman of the Council shall represent the council before the judiciary and third parties. 

Article Eleven 
The Council shall have a separate budget that includes its income and expenses. The fiscal year of the Council shall commence and end with the commencement and closure of the fiscal year of the state, respectively. 

Article Twelve 
The Council's resources shall consist of: 
1. Funds allocated in the general budget of the state to the Council. 
2. Grants, donations, and allowances that the Council accepts by a majority vote of at least two-thirds of its members. 
3. State allocations including grants and allowances that are directed to human rights fields and pursuant to international agreements concluded with the Arab Republic of Egypt. 
A special account shall be opened for the proceeds of such resources at a bank that is under the control of the Central Bank of Egypt. The surplus in such an account shall be carried forward at the end of each fiscal year to the budget of the Council for the subsequent year. 

Article Thirteen 
The Council shall prepare an annual report concerning its efforts and activities and shall incorporate therein recommendations the Council deems appropriate within its functions. The Council shall present such report to the President of the Republic, the head of the People's Assembly and the head of the Shoura Council. 

Article Fourteen 
The Council shall issue regulations to organize its work, and regulations to organize its technical secretariat and personnel, financial, and administrative affairs. In furtherance thereof, the Council shall not be bound by any governmental systems. 

Article Fifteen 
The Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force on the day following its publication. 
The Law shall bear the Seal of the State, and shall be implemented as one of its laws. 

Issued at the Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt on 19 June 2003 A.D