Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Counselor Ahmed Hafe
Kigali: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Counselor Ahmed Hafez denounced, in the strongest of terms, the statements made by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)’s Spokesperson regarding the death of Mohammed Morsi Issa Al Ayat during his trial on charges of espionage with a foreign party, according to a press release.
He added that the statements entailed deliberate attempts to politicize a natural death, noting that they are unworthy of a spokesperson for such an international organization.
Hafez condemned the suspicions implicitly contained in these statements which seek to levy unfounded accusations against the institutions of the Egyptian state and the integrity of the Egyptian judiciary, adding that this is considered a deliberate attempt to undermine Egypt’s commitment to international standards, and to jump to empty conclusions that are not based on any evidence or proofs, with total ignorance of the facts of the matter. This is unacceptable on the part of the Spokesperson of the Office of the High Commissioner, particularly as it relates to the suggestion that Egypt should take particular measures; ones which have already been enacted by the Egyptian authorities out of a genuine national commitment and respect for international obligations.
Egypt is aware that such blatantly politicised statements follow the lines of statements made by officials of a state, and entities, exploiting the incident for political purposes. Such officials proclaim their respect for democracy and human rights, while their actions and practices indicate that they solely seek to remain in power through all possible means, which has turned them into tyrannical dictatorships. They have turned their country into large prisons, where election results are manipulated and electoral reruns are forced without basis. This is in addition to members of the opposition and civil society being imprisoned in the tens of thousands, without knowing their fate and with no accountability; the abuse and dismissal of thousands of employees; and the deprivation of citizens’ freedoms, the silencing of voices and the restrictions on the basic freedoms of expression and assembly, among others. This is not to mention the sponsorship of thousands of members of terrorist groups in the region, and involvement in the loss of lives and the shedding of blood of innocent people in order to achieve political goals, seek influence and restore delusions of historical grandeur.
Hafez stressed that the statements issued by the Spokesperson of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights will be raised at the highest level, in view of their lack of objectivity and the contained violations, deviations and infringements on the principles of professionalism and integrity that must be adhered to. (End)