Al Masry El Yom, 30/10/2015

On October 15, Egypt was elected as a two-year non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. This international accomplishment brings back memories of other Egyptian achievements in the field.

Let us not forget that when human rights standards were defined by the United Nations on 10 December 1948 in Paris, the whole world realized that these rights were but an integral part of the ancient Egyptian civilization. At the dawn of our civilization, Egyptians summarized all aspects of human rights in just one word “Maat”. This word is considered one of the oldest linguistic expressions that possess multiple meanings: it means justice, honesty, and truth.

Let me also remind you of some icons of international law and justice in Egypt. One is Abdel Hamid Badawi Pasha, who in 1946 became judge at the International Court of Justice. He was later commissioned to serve in many other international courts. Badawi received a Ph.D.in law in Paris in 1912. He wrote a book about the quality of justice and legislation in Egypt. He also did extensive research on the system of government in the US and on freedom of speech in Egypt.

There is also Dr. Fouad Riad, another prominent expert in international law. He served as judge at the International Criminal Court till the year 2001. In 2000, he passed a verdict stating that Serbs engaged in genocide against Bosnian Muslims. Riad’s family boasts other law experts.

His son, Dr. Tarek Riad, is a prominent international arbitration specialist. He is also a key member of the international arbitration team in the UAE. His wife, the late Dr. Samia Rashed, was a prominent legal expert, so is his daughter, Dr. Hala Riad.

Fouad Riad is the son of Mohamed Abdul Moneim Riad, one of the authors of the genocide treaty, which was signed in 1945, which Fouad put into practice in 2000.

translated from Al Masry El Yom