A/HRC/28/16 except upon a court order. Those regulations led the number of registered political parties to surge to 96. 18. The Al-Azhar and the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt launched the “House of the Egyptian Family” initiative to reinforce the values of citizenship for all. The House of the Egyptian Family launched, in cooperation with civil society partners, a campaign to restore 46 churches that had been affected by acts of violence following the June 30 revolution. 19. The Constitution and laws do not impose any limitations on access by bloggers or the public to the Internet. Presidents of national newspapers are appointed upon nominations by the newspapers themselves. The ministry of information has been abolished. Steps are under way for establishing a council for media regulation in accordance with the Constitution. 20. Since 2011, the Government has been involved in a review of Law no. 84 of 2002 regulating civil associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The total number of registered NGOs now stands at around 47,000, compared with 26,000 in 2010. 21. The Egyptian Constitution stipulates that “torture in all forms and types is a crime that is not subject to prescription,” and that “the State shall guarantee fair compensation for the victims of such violations”. The Office of the Public Prosecutor investigates all cases brought to its attention on claims of torture or harsh treatment. It is also responsible for the surveillance of prisons and other places of detention and regularly undertakes surprise visits. 22. Despite the scale of violence and barbaric acts committed by terrorist organizations in Egypt and the Middle East, Egypt works to ensure the highest possible guarantees for the respect for human rights. It has opted not to apply any exceptional measures while fighting terrorism, instead relying on the stipulations of the Penal Code, which provides guarantees for citizens’ rights. The draft anti-terrorism law, which encompasses all the guarantees laid out under United Nations standards, is ready for adoption. 23. The Government has specified a minimum standard of living for those living in poverty and extreme poverty. The family social security pension has been raised by 50 per cent. 24. Egypt designed a comprehensive housing strategy for the period 2012-2027 that aims to provide housing to limited-income families, women breadwinners, persons with disabilities and others. A law on social housing has been issued. 25. A new ministry has been established responsible for civil development and slums, and another for small and medium-sized enterprises. National strategies to address unemployment and eradicate illiteracy are being implemented. 26. The Law on the House of Representatives stipulates that at least 50 per cent of electoral lists must be women, as well as at least 50 per cent of appointed representatives. Women government employees enjoy total equality with men. 27. In coordination with the National Council for Women, the Government has provided support to women living in poverty, with the aim of facilitating their access to State services. The Government has also established “women health centres” in most governorates. 28. In June 2014, legal sanctions against harassment were tightened by way of amendments to the penal code. Those amendments include, for the first time, a broad and detailed definition of sexual harassment. The Ministry of the Interior provides centres for care and treatment of women victims of rape and those subjected to violence. A female police force is routinely assigned to deal with those cases. 5

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