The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) is an independent, non-governmental organization that promotes respect for human rights and democratic values in the Arab region. CIHRS is recognized for its research, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives, focusing on civil and political rights, freedom of expression, and the protection of human rights defenders. The institute is active in engaging with international mechanisms, such as the United Nations, to highlight human rights violations and advocate for reforms .

Location

CIHRS was originally established in Cairo, Egypt. Due to increasing restrictions on civil society and human rights organizations in Egypt, CIHRS relocated its main operations to Tunis, Tunisia, in 2014. The institute also maintains a presence in Europe, particularly in Geneva and Paris, to facilitate its international advocacy efforts.

History

Founded in 1993, CIHRS emerged in response to the need for an independent voice on human rights issues in the Arab world. Over the years, it has played a significant role in documenting abuses, supporting human rights defenders, and promoting legal and policy reforms. The organization has faced challenges due to political repression in Egypt, which led to its relocation to Tunisia, but it continues to operate regionally and internationally .

Establishment and Founders

CIHRS was established in 1993 by a group of Egyptian intellectuals and human rights advocates, most notably Bahey eldin Hassan, a prominent Egyptian human rights defender. Hassan has served as the institute’s director since its inception and is widely recognized for his contributions to the human rights movement in the Arab region .

Financial Sponsors

CIHRS is funded by a variety of international donors, including governmental and non-governmental organizations. Its financial supporters have included European governments, international foundations, and human rights organizations. The institute emphasizes its independence and transparency regarding funding sources to maintain credibility and avoid conflicts of interest.

Website and Contact Information

• Website: www.cihrs.org
• Contact Information:
• Email: info@cihrs.org
• Main office: Tunis, Tunisia

Iran’s Perspective

From the perspective of the Islamic Republic of Iran, organizations like CIHRS are often viewed with suspicion, particularly due to their international connections and advocacy activities. Iranian authorities have historically criticized foreign-funded human rights groups, alleging that they serve Western interests and interfere in domestic affairs. Iran’s official stance tends to reject external criticism and monitoring of its human rights record, as reflected in its responses to reports by international bodies and NGOs .

Prominent Research Figures

• Mohamed Zaree is a key figure at the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), serving as the Egypt country director. Zaree is recognized internationally for his leadership in human rights advocacy and research, particularly on freedom of expression and association. He was awarded the 2017 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders for his dedication and personal risk in defending human rights in Egypt, despite facing government persecution and a travel ban.
• The institute also collaborates with a network of researchers and human rights defenders across the Arab world, though Zaree stands out for his public profile and international recognition.

Key Fields of Concentration (Research)

CIHRS focuses on:

• Civil and political rights: Researching and advocating against restrictions on freedom of speech, association, and assembly, as well as documenting cases of arbitrary detention, torture, and forced disappearances12.
• Human rights education: Providing training and educational programs to youth, civil society activists, and human rights defenders to build capacity and awareness of universal human rights standards.
• Women’s rights and gender equality: Addressing structural and institutional discrimination against women in the Arab region.
• Democratic transformation and legal reform: Suggesting legislative alternatives and supporting pro-democracy movements.
• International advocacy: Engaging with United Nations mechanisms and other international bodies to promote accountability and reforms.
• Environmental and regional issues: Analyzing the impact of international cooperation, such as Sino-Arab relations, on human rights and environmental standards in the region13.

Relations to the Islamic World

CIHRS operates throughout the Arab region, which is predominantly Islamic, and its work often intersects with issues relevant to Islamic societies. The institute:

• Promotes universal human rights standards while acknowledging local cultural and religious contexts.
• Partners with civil society organizations in Islamic countries, such as its involvement in the Yemeni Coalition for Human Rights, aiming to strengthen advocacy and protection mechanisms in Yemen and other Muslim-majority societies9.
• Engages in dialogue with political and religious actors to advocate for reforms and address challenges specific to the Islamic world.

Publishing/Significant Reports

• CIHRS has published over 200 books and numerous reports on topics including democratic transformation, civil and political rights, women’s rights, and the impact of political changes on human rights in the Arab world.
• It produces specialized periodicals, such as Rowaq Arabi, which examines human rights issues in the Arab region from a scholarly perspective.
• The institute regularly issues joint reports with other organizations, such as its recent submission to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, highlighting Egypt’s failure to comply with international human rights obligations and documenting abuses like torture, arbitrary detention, and repression of civil society12.

Impacts and Partnerships

• CIHRS has played a leading role in shaping the human rights discourse in the Arab world, providing research, advocacy, and capacity-building that influence both local and international policy .
• It enjoys consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and is a member of networks such as the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network and the International Freedom of Expression Exchange.
• The institute’s partnerships include collaborations with international NGOs, United Nations agencies, and regional coalitions like the Yemeni Coalition for Human Rights, aimed at empowering local organizations and enhancing advocacy efforts9.
• CIHRS’s advocacy and reporting have contributed to international awareness and pressure on governments in the region, though from the Iranian perspective, such activities are often viewed as foreign interference and met with skepticism regarding their motives and funding sources.

Iran’s Perspective

From the viewpoint of the Islamic Republic of Iran, CIHRS’s activities-particularly its international advocacy, partnerships with Western and regional organizations, and focus on issues like women’s rights and government accountability-are often seen as aligning with Western interests and exerting external pressure on Islamic societies. Iranian authorities typically regard such organizations with suspicion, criticizing their reports as politically motivated and dismissing their findings as interference in domestic affairs.