Akil: There is a need for more programs for immigrants to bridge the gap between the laws and the actual reality

Basha: Egypt provides a strong legal structure for immigrants, but it must be modernized and developed

Basant Essam: The presence of immigrants represents a great addition to Egyptian society

 

Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights, in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration in Egypt, concluded the activities of the second batch of the training program to educate migrants about Egyptian laws, which comes in the context of improving the conditions of migrants in Egypt and enhancing their human rights reality, by focusing on the legal, economic and social conditions.

The activities of the program included awareness sessions on the Egyptian laws related to education, residence and work, and an introduction to the services provided by the International Organization for Migration to migrants in Egypt, focusing on the programs of direct aid and voluntary return, as well as personal interviews to provide legal aid to migrants.

During the workshops, immigrants called for the inclusion of immigrants and their families in national education systems, and for ways to legalize and recognize community schools. As well as providing more social protection for migrant workers. They also recommended facilitating the procedures for obtaining residency and reducing its costs in line with their fragile economic conditions. While they emphasized increasing awareness programs of their rights and duties in Egypt.

This, Ayman Aqeel stated; The international human rights expert and head of the Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights, stressed that the cooperation between Maat and the International Organization for Migration in this training program aims to bridge the gap between the actual reality and Egyptian laws, stressing the need to create such spaces all the time, especially since Egypt is one of the largest hosting countries. immigrants and refugees in the region. Aqil stressed that the success of the program will be complemented by raising the challenges and recommendations that the migrants themselves discussed to the ministries and concerned authorities in Egypt for their consideration.

Abdel Rahman Pasha, Director of the Sustainable Development Unit and Program Director, emphasized that Egypt provides a strong legal structure concerned with migrants and their rights, stressing the need to update it to adapt to the economic, social and security changes that the whole world is witnessing, not just Egypt. Basha recommended the necessity of integrating immigrants and their interventions into the societal discussions that take place on Egyptian laws, as they are among the groups most vulnerable to influence and being affected by the law.

While I stated Issam El-Din’s cent; Vice President of the Sustainable Development Unit, the presence of immigrants in Egypt represents a great wealth and addition to the Egyptian society on the economic, social and cultural levels, and is even considered a great wealth that can be used for the benefit of citizens and immigrants alike. She added that developing and enhancing their situation is in line with Egypt's international and regional commitments to human rights and sustainable development.

It is worth noting that the program targeted 200 immigrants residing in Egypt from Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, Eritrea and Somalia. The program started in December, completing the project that started in March 2022.