A/HRC/43/16 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-fourth session from 4 to 15 November 2019. The review of Egypt was held at the 15th meeting, on 13 November 2019. The delegation of Egypt was headed by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Omar elKhattab Marawan. At its 18th meeting, held on 15 November 2019, the Working Group adopted the report on Egypt. 2. On 15 January 2019, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Egypt: Fiji, Senegal and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Egypt: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/34/EGY/1 and Corr.1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/34/EGY/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/34/EGY/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Germany, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Uruguay was transmitted to Egypt through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation of Egypt welcomed the universal periodic review process, as an interactive constructive dialogue that allowed for the exchange of experiences and ideas to promote respect for human rights internationally. The national report detailed efforts made since the second cycle to implement the provisions of the Constitution of 2014, international obligations and the recommendations Egypt had accepted from the second review, using a gradual, prioritized approach, and taking into account existing capacities and available resources. It was highlighted that, while article 151 of the Constitution stipulated that all international treaties had the force of law upon ratification, article 93 specifically granted the force of law to all international human rights treaties that had been ratified. 6. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law, the exercise of human rights were not absolute, but could be regulated as provided for by law, so that the rights of one person would not come at the expense of another, lest conflicts should arise between rights holders. Thus, the national policy of Egypt promoted all civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, while maintaining a balance between those rights, respecting diversity and providing equal opportunities to all citizens. The National Council for Human Rights, being the national human rights institution, as well as the National Council for Women, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were all partners in that respect. 2