Moushira Khattab at the Al-Azhar Symposium at the Book Fair: Egypt is making huge efforts to combat human trafficking

Ambassador Moshira Khattab, President of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), said in a symposium organized by Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in its pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair, entitled Caring for Human Rights and Combating Human Trafficking Crimes, “Human trafficking is the modern crime, or the modern name, for the term slavery and servitude, explaining that 30% of the victims of human trafficking, among them are women as well as men, children and youth, either from the country, immigrants or refugees.

 

In her speech, the ambassador addressed the concept of human trafficking, as it is considered a crime against humanity, at a time when the world has made great achievements, especially now that Human Rights are the standard or yardstick used by the world. She explained that Egypt is one of the leading countries that led the global movement for Human Rights, and it stems from one thing, which is the right to dignity because we are all born equal in dignity, while the crime of human trafficking destroys the human sense of dignity, and represents a violation of Human Rights. The ambassador appreciated the efforts of the Egyptian state and the Public Prosecution for their tangible role in monitoring any complaints, or violations, to assist any potential victims in order to reduce the crime of human trafficking.

 

Ambassador Khattab addressed the role of NCHR in combating the phenomenon of human trafficking, and the role of the complaints system, which receives all complaints and refers them to the competent authorities, and there is agreement among many state agencies to provide protection for refugees.

 

The President of NCHR also appreciated the signing of the Human Fraternity Document, which was inaugurated by the Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, and Pope Francis, Pope of the Vatican.

 

Dr. Nazir Ayyad, Secretary General of the Islamic Research Academy, and Professor Mahmoud Abdel Rahman, member of the Media Center of the Sheikhdom of Al-Azhar, participated in the symposium. Nazir Ayad cited that the Al-Azhar Foundation is one of the state institutions and cooperates with all its energy in this field. The Foundation is keen to present its role in spreading religious awareness in a practical and professional manner to limit this phenomenon. He also praised the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and also the document of citizenship in thecera of the Prophet (PBUH), as being achievements of the modern era, as well as the document of freedoms and the document of brotherhood.