Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Indigenous and Tribal Populations Convention, 1957 (No. 107) - Egypt (Ratification: 1959)

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Identification and protection of tribal or semi-tribal populations. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Bedouin population is concentrated in the Sinai Peninsula and the Western Desert and encompasses nomadic and settled groups. The Government states that it is making comprehensive, ongoing efforts regarding the socio-economic conditions of the population in the Sinai peninsula, focusing on three main areas, namely: infrastructure, industry and investment, and social projects in the sectors of education; health (establishment of hospitals, health centres and medical units), housing, social protection and automated government services. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on: (i) how the measures reported protect and promote the institutions, persons, property and culture of the Bedouin populations in the Sinai in line with Article 3 of the Convention; and (ii) the measures taken to protect and promote the institutions, persons, property and culture of any other group falling within the scope of Article 1 of the Convention as well as of Bedouin populations residing outside the Sinai peninsula. The Committee also encourages the Government to gather and provide statistical information on the socio-economic conditions of the populations protected by the Convention.

Articles 2, 5 and 6. Coordinated and systematic measures to protect and promote the social, economic and cultural development of the populations concerned. The Government informs that it has designed a national project for the protection and development of the Sinai Peninsula which includes: the establishment of new cities and the implementation of diverse development projects in the industrial, agricultural and commercial sectors; constructing development bridges linking Sinai to the Delta and the remainder of Cairo’s governorates; upgrading infrastructure and basic services in the Canal cities and Sinai; attracting investment by leveraging natural assets; and developing tourism.

In terms of results achieved, the Committee notes the Government’s reference to the upgrading of seaports, transportation routes and tunnels, the increasing of natural gas filling stations and residential units connected to natural gas; and the establishment of new electrical power plants and transformer stations to secure electricity supply in Sinai, as well as of a solar power plant and a wind power farm. The Government underlines that: (1) the development projects implemented in areas where the Bedouin population resides take into consideration their cultural heritage, providing encouragement and training in their handicrafts and staging exhibitions to market their products nationwide; and (2) it respects the Bedouins’ customs and traditions and consults their elders on matters relating to their tribes as well as on disputes between members of their tribes and other citizens.

The Committee requests the Government to indicate how, in practice, the populations concerned have collaborated in the design and implementation of the projects mentioned and have benefited from them. Please also indicate how the Government is providing these populations with opportunities for the full development of their initiative as regards to their social, economic and cultural development.

Articles 11 and 12. Land. The Committee notes that the Government refers to the provisions in the Constitution recognizing and protecting the right to property and indicates that it is expanding the granting and recognition of ownership to “squatters” who have built on, reclaimed or cultivated the land in any way.

The Committee notes that article 236 of the Constitution provides that “the State shall work on setting and implementing projects to bring back the residents of Nubia to their original territories and develop such territories within 10 years, as regulated by law”. The Committee also notes that various UN Special Procedures mandate holders have referred to information concerning the displacement of the Bedouin community following extensive land-clearing in North Sinai, the subsequent failure to discuss requests for return, to provide compensation and adequate resettlement, and the alleged arbitrary detention of 54 individuals from the Bedouin community following protests against the protracted delay of their resettlement (AL EGY 4.2024).

The Committee recalls that “traditional occupation” of land creates rights under Articles 11 to 14 of the Convention. It also underscores that, as a general rule, the populations concerned shall not be removed without their free consent from their habitual territories, and when removal of these populations is necessary as an exceptional measure, they shall be provided with lands of quality at least equal to that of the lands previously occupied by them, and shall receive compensation for any loss or injury. Noting all the information above, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the right to property, either collective or individual, is recognized for the members of the populations concerned relating to the land they traditionally occupy. It also requests the Government to provide information on: (a) the measures taken to implement article 236 of the Constitution; and (b) the current situation of the Bedouins’ populations displaced in North Sinai, their opportunities for return and the compensations accorded. The Committee requests the Government to ensure that, as a general rule, no removal of indigenous or tribal peoples from their lands occurs without their consent, unless in exceptional circumstances and with the guarantees established in Article 12 of the Convention.

Prospects for the ratification of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No.169). The Committee notes that, based on the recommendations of the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group, the Governing Body’ has decided that Member States for which Convention No. 107 is currently in force, should be encouraged to ratify Convention No. 169 which is the most up-to-date instrument in this subject area (GB.352/LILS/3/Decision). The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is examining international Conventions and their alignment with national legislation and is guided by their provisions, particularly when preparing national laws and legislation. The Committee encourages the Government to follow up the Governing Body’s decision and to continue considering the possibility of ratifying Convention No. 169. The Committee reminds the Government of the possibility of avail itself of ILO technical assistance and support in this regard.