Dr. Hossam Badrawi and Ambassador Moushira Khattab Sign the Cairo Declaration to Reject Forced Displacement

Dr. Hossam Badrawi and Ambassador Moushira Khattab Sign the Cairo Declaration to Reject Forced Displacement as a Voice of Civil Society in Defense of International Justice and Human Rights

At the invitation of the Egyptian Youth Council and organizations dedicated to defending human rights and humanitarian relief, Dr. Hossam Badrawi participated on Saturday, February 15, 2025, in the launch conference of the “Cairo Declaration to Reject Forced Displacement: The Voice of Civil Society in Defense of International Justice and Human Rights.”

During the event, Dr. Badrawi delivered the following speech:

Distinguished Guests,

I greet you all and extend my gratitude to the organizers of this important conference, which embodies the voice of human conscience in confronting one of the most serious threats facing societies today: forced displacement.

What is happening before our eyes—the unacceptable threat to the Palestinian people and the strong stance of the free Egyptian society—must serve as a message to the entire world.

Displacement is not merely the act of moving from one place to another. It is the forced uprooting of individuals from their homeland, a blatant violation of their rights, and an assault on their humanity. It is a recurring phenomenon in many regions worldwide, where individuals and families are forced to leave their homes due to armed conflicts, unjust policies, ethnic discrimination, or even large-scale economic interests.

The Cairo Declaration we launch today represents a clear and firm stance from civil society in defending the right of individuals to remain in their lands and rejecting all forms of forced displacement that violate international justice and human rights. It is a cry against injustice and a message to the international community that its silence on such practices is an unjustifiable form of complicity.

There can be no international justice without accountability, and there can be no protection of human rights without a genuine will for change. We must demand that governments and international institutions take decisive action against any violations of people’s rights. We must work to empower the victims and ensure their voices are heard in all forums.

Dear attendees,

Protecting people from forced displacement is not just a moral obligation; it is a legal and humanitarian duty that we all must uphold. Let us be partners in building a world where rights are preserved, and human dignity is respected, wherever it may be.

Thank you, and peace to the Palestinian people and to all of humanity against those who rob it of its meaning.

Conference Highlights

During the conference, all attendees expressed their solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people, who continue to resist the brutal Israeli tyranny despite being unarmed. The attendees firmly rejected any violation of Palestinian rights and reaffirmed the need for an independent Palestinian state.

It was emphasized that Palestine is now a member of the United Nations, with recognition from 147 countries as an established state with full international rights. The conference also called for the reconstruction of Gaza and urgent humanitarian relief for the Palestinian people.

Furthermore, the attendees praised the Egyptian government’s honorable and steadfast position in rejecting the forced displacement of the Palestinian people and its unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause.

Distinguished Guests on the Panel

Alongside Dr. Hossam Badrawi, the panel featured:

• Ambassador Moushira Khattab
• Dr. Hani Aziz, Secretary-General of the Association of Egypt Peace Lovers
• Dr. Abir Essam, Chairman of Ammar Real Estate and Board Member of the Real Estate Development Chamber at the Federation of Egyptian Industries
• Mr. Abdel Mohsen Salama, Former Head of the Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate

The event was also attended by parliament members, officials, political party leaders, and prominent public figures in Egyptian society.

Signing the Cairo Declaration

At the end of the conference, all attendees signed the Cairo Declaration to Reject Forced Displacement and Support the Legitimate Rights of the Palestinian People. The event concluded with commemorative photos featuring Dr. Badrawi and distinguished guests in an atmosphere of gratitude and pride for this honorable initiative.

About the Egyptian Youth Council

The Egyptian Youth Council was established in 2016, and due to its rapid expansion and nationwide impact, it was officially recognized as a central institution in 2020 under registration number 953. The council has benefited more than 120,000 young men and women through its initiatives.

Its primary mission is to promote comprehensive human rights, especially for marginalized communities, and to empower youth to actively participate in decision-making processes while advocating for social justice and true democratic engagement.