UN chief flags rights abuses during meeting with Sisi in New York

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon expressed concerns over the violation of detainees’ legal rights in Egypt, the sentencing of journalists and called for the release of political detainees, during his meeting with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in New York on Sunday.

According to a statement by the UN, the secretary-general “expressed concern about the absence of due process for detainees,” and “called for the release of those detained solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression and association.”

He also condemned the explosion that took place earlier on Sunday near the Foreign Ministry in downtown Cairo, which left two police officers dead.

Sisi left for New York on Sunday as part of an Egyptian delegation to the 69^th round of the United Nations’ General Assembly.

Ki-Moon lauded Egypt’s regional role in recent months, as he discussed with Sisi pressing issues such as Gaza and Libya.

“Both agreed on the need to make the ceasefire for Gaza sustainable and for a political process to achieve durable peace. Noting the upcoming donors’ conference on Gaza, both stressed that the cycle of destruction must end,” a statement issued after the meeting said.

Sisi is scheduled to speak at the General Assembly, where he will discuss fighting terrorism as well as other regional issues, state-run news agency MENA reported.

On his visit, Sisi is expected to meet with leaders and presidents of other countries, as well as a delegation of Egyptians living in New York, MENA said.

He will also give an address at the UN Climate Summit, where he will relay Egypt’s efforts to combat climate change.

Local media reported that protesters supporting and opposing Sisi had faced off against each other near the UN headquarters, with a group chanting for the president and the other chanting against him.