Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) is a prominent NGO which was founded in Egypt in 1993. It works for the promotion of human rights in Egypt and the Arab region through advocacy, policy research and human rights education. CIHRS enjoys consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC and observer status with the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights. In December 2014, CIHRS decided to move its regional and international programs to Tunisia in light of increasing threats to human rights organisations in Egypt.
A significant crackdown on civil society in Egypt has been taking place since 2014. HRDs face an extremely challenging situation due to restrictions imposed on civil society and peaceful public gatherings and protests, travel bans, the arrest and sentencing of HRDs, bloggers, journalists and protesters, as well as an ongoing smear campaign against human rights groups.
