Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the change in the state of human rights in Egypt since July 2013.

More political progress is essential for Egypt's long-term stability. This includes freedom of the press, as well as freedom of expression in all its forms. We also want to see better protection of Egyptians' constitutional rights and more space for non-governmental organisations and civil society. Ministers and officials regularly raise our concerns with their Egyptian counterparts. When the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), met President Sisi on 5 November they spoke about the need for political progress in Egypt as the essential foundation for Egypt's long-term stability. Further details of our assessment are available in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s 2013 and 2014 Human Rights and Democracy Reports. Case studies on Egypt from both Reports are attached.