UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING
Alessandra Vellucci of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, attended by spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
High Commissioner calls on Egypt to end “rotation practice”
Thameen Al-Kheetan, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk had called on Egyptian authorities to put an end to a practice that allowed Government critics to be held arbitrarily and for prolonged periods, even after serving their sentences or completing maximum pretrial detention. Human rights defenders, activists, lawyers, journalists, peaceful protesters and political opponents had been targeted by the strategy, known as “rotation”. The practice entailed the authorities bringing new charges against individuals when they were about to complete their prison sentences or as they reached the maximum legal period of pretrial detention, thus preventing their release. These fresh charges, often under counter-terrorism laws, were usually similar to those for which they had already been charged or convicted, and often lacked substantive foundation.
The latest case concerned poet Galal El-Behairy, who was arbitrarily detained after completing a prison term on 31 July 2021 for writing songs and poetry critical of the Government. Since then, he faced similar charges in two different cases under the counter-terrorism law and the penal code. The latest charges were brought against him on 19 August 2025 and extended his detention for at least 15 more days. “The Egyptian Government must immediately stop this practice of ‘rotation’ and release all those who have been subjected to it,” Türk said. “This practice has become a tool by which the Egyptian Government represses those perceived to be critical of, or in opposition to, its policies.”
OHCHR was closely following a number of cases of “rotation”, including of several writers, activists and lawyers. All of them remained in arbitrary detention.
The full statement is available here.
Attack on Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza
Responding to questions from the media regarding yesterday’s attacks on the Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza where five journalists were killed, Thameen Al-Kheetan, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said the killing of journalists in Gaza should shock the world into action. In the case of the strike on the Nasser Medical Complex yesterday, the Israeli military reportedly launched multiple strikes, including two strikes within a short period of time. One of the five journalists appeared to have been killed in the first airstrike while three others appeared to have been killed in the second. This was unacceptable. The killing of all civilians must be thoroughly and independently investigated, and justice must follow.
OHCHR had seen and documented many attacks on journalists. At least 247 of them had been killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023. These journalists were the eyes and ears of the whole world and needed to be protected. All of these incidents needed to be investigated and those responsible held accountable. OHCHR colleagues were continuing to corroborate information about yesterday’s strikes. Targeting journalists and hospitals was forbidden. In the past, the Israeli authorities had announced investigations into such killings, but so far there had not been any results. OHCHR called for accountability and justice.
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said the Secretary-General’s statement yesterday had strongly condemned the killings of both medical personnel and journalists in yesterday’s attack, and extended condolences to the families and colleagues of those killed. The protection of journalists was clearly stated under Security Council Resolution 2222, and everyone was expected to abide by this resolution.
Announcements
Alessandra Vellucci for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (33rd session, 11-26 August) would conclude its 33rd session this afternoon, at 5.30pm, and issue its concluding observations on the countries reviewed during the session: the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kiribati, Maldives and Finland.
Ms. Vellucci also said on Wednesday, 3 September at 10:30 a.m., the UN Human Rights Council would hold a press conference on the upcoming 60th regular session, with Council President, Ambassador Jürg Lauber.
On Wednesday, 3 September at 2:30 p.m., the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) would hold a press conference on asylum policy and law and UNHCR guidance to states, with Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection.
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