The Egyptian parliament has approved a new asylum law, shifting the responsibility for granting refugee status from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to a government-led committee.
Critics argue the law threatens refugee rights and was passed without sufficient transparency or consultation with civil society groups.
Egypt currently hosts over 800,000 registered refugees, primarily from Sudan and Syria, with some estimates suggesting up to nine million displaced individuals reside in the country. The new law aims to create a framework for managing asylum applications but raises concerns about impartiality and alignment with international refugee conventions.
The legislation awaits ratification by President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi. Rights groups warn that Egypt’s ongoing economic crisis and reports of violence against refugees exacerbate risks for displaced populations. UNHCR has pledged continued support and collaboration with the government to uphold refugee protections.
