Cairo 52 and its partners took part in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) fourth review cycle of Egypt, with two shadow submissions. The two submissions focused on two key thematic areas regarding the violation of the fundamental right to health and anti-discrimination for transgender and intersex individuals, as well as the arbitrary application of vice laws by authorities that restrict due process rights, fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, and the violation of the rule of law. Within the framework of these two submissions, Cairo 52 and its partners proposed essential recommendations to reform medical policies to ensure equitable access to healthcare for transgender and intersex populations, to cease abusive practices such as forced anal and virginity testing, to ensure the application of anti-discrimination policies in employment and healthcare, and to reform vice laws to prevent arbitrary restrictions on rights, thereby guaranteeing freedom of expression, privacy and speech for all citizens.

On January 28, 2025, during Egypt’s fourth UPR, 137 UN Member States expressed significant concern regarding the ongoing deterioration of the human rights situation in Egypt. These states made over 370 recommendations during the UPR at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, focusing on key thematic issues including refugee rights, the enactment of anti-discrimination measures, abolition or restriction of the death penalty, and the cessation of arbitrary arrest and detention of human rights defenders, among other concerns. Directly related to the thematic areas addressed in the shadow submissions made by Cairo 52 and its partners, several countries made recommendations that aligned with those presented in the reports.

• Cairo 52 particularly welcomed the recommendations related to the reform of vice laws: repeal Law No. 10 of 1961 and Article 157 of the Egyptian Penal Code, which may be used to target individuals of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity/expression (SOGIESC) (Iceland); and reform the laws concerning vices to prevent their use as tools to restrict fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly for activists, women, and the LGBTQ+ community (Chile).
• Additionally, concerning the issue of forced anal and virginity tests, Egypt received the following recommendations: enact legislation criminalizing all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, marital rape, institutional violence, virginity testing, and honor killing (Slovakia); and end the practice of forced anal exams and forced “virginity tests” (Canada).
• Moreover, regarding the prosecution of sexual and gender minorities, countries recommended preventing criminal prosecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and protecting LGBTQ+ individuals (Spain).
• On the matter of accessing healthcare for all citizens: Strengthen social protection programs for marginalized communities, ensuring access to healthcare, education, and housing for vulnerable populations (Gambia); continue efforts to accelerate access to the highest attainable standard of healthcare for all citizens (Malawi); and bolster the implementation of the Universal Healthcare System Law to ensure the provision of healthcare services for all (South Africa).
• On the matter of accessing employment: Redouble efforts to promote gender equality by emphasizing the adoption of inclusive policies aimed at ensuring equal access to education, employment, and positions of responsibility (Cameroon); and continue efforts to promote gender equality by creating a conducive environment and opportunities for women to access employment and entrepreneurship (Lao People’s Democratic Republic).

We welcome these recommendations and others, especially highlighting that this is the first time Egypt has received direct recommendations on reforming vice laws, which have long been used to restrict fundamental rights for all Egyptian citizens. The recommendations mentioned here and others underscore the increasing decline of human rights and social and economic protections under the current Egyptian regime led by President Al-Sisi. Under his tenure, there have been increased restrictions placed on fundamental human rights for all citizens and a decline in civic space. The Egyptian government has also shown a track record of disregarding recommendations received regarding sexual and bodily freedoms, including those related to LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as recommendations concerning the implementation of equal access to fundamental rights such as housing, employment, and education. The Egyptian government intentionally excludes sexual and gender minorities from its national policies.

The Egyptian government will have the opportunity to articulate its commitment to initiating a new era for human rights within the country during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council, which commences in June. During this session, it will be able to endorse and implement recommendations received during the review process. Cairo 52 urges the Egyptian government to exhibit genuine transformation in its human rights narrative by instituting critical reforms to the existing vice articles within Anti-Sex Work Law 10/1961, the relevant provisions of the Penal Code, and Article 25 of the Cybercrime Law. Additionally, we call upon the Egyptian government to accept recommendations that ensure equitable access to health care, employment, and education for all citizens, particularly marginalized communities such as intersex and transgender individuals, who continue to be overlooked in the Egyptian state’s health policy.

Cairo 52, along with other members of international, regional, and national civil society organizations, will continue to engage with human rights mechanisms to ensure that Egypt’s human rights future progresses in a more positive direction. This will be achieved through evidence-based research, data collection, advocacy, and strategic engagement with key international partners to exert pressure on the Egyptian government to alter its human rights trajectory.