Cairo - Egypt's Foreign Ministry rejected Thursday a proposed resolution by the European Parliament criticizing the human rights situation in the country. The resolution calls for an end to all forms of torture, ill- treatment and harassment and calls for the immediate release of opposition leader and former presidential candidate Ayman Nour, who was jailed for forgery in 2005 in a trial which the resolution describes as "unfair" and "politically motivated."
Nour's health in prison is said to be deteriorating.
The European Parliament was discussing the resolution Thursday and it was expected to be passed as it is backed by the main parliamentary groups.
Egypt's Foreign Ministry has told European Union envoys in Cairo that it rejects the resolution.
"Egypt does not accept the attempt of any country or party to comment on the situation of human rights in Egypt or to give other countries lessons concerning its own internal affairs, especially in the human rights area," ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said.
Zaki said that the resolution, if passed, would negatively affect EU-Egyptian relations and "will cast its shadow on the path of cooperation and consultation between the two sides."
On Wednesday the speaker of Egypt's parliament, Fathi Sorour, threatened that ties with both the EU and the EU's Euro-Mediterranean Partnership would be severed if the resolution was passed.
"We refuse interference in our internal affairs and the condescending and tough language of the resolution," Sorour was quoted by the state-owned al-Akhbar daily as saying.
He also slammed the European Parliament for "appointing itself a judge on people."
Egypt signed the Euro-Mediterranean Association agreement in 2001, committing to the "respect for democratic principles and fundamental human rights."
