Sharm El-Sheikh, Platform for Peace: A Call for an Urgent National Initiative to Contain Regional Escalation

The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms expresses its deep concern regarding the rapidly escalating developments in the Middle East region, particularly in light of the missile attacks targeting several Gulf Arab states and the resulting direct threat to the safety of civilians and the security of vital infrastructure, especially energy sources, which are a cornerstone of regional and international economic stability.

The Association affirms that the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure is a fundamental obligation under the rules of international humanitarian law, based on the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977. Any targeting of vital infrastructure, including energy facilities, constitutes a grave violation of the principles of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity. These principles govern the conduct of parties to armed conflicts and ensure the minimization of their impact on civilian populations and civilian infrastructure. The Association believes that the continuation of this escalation portends far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the borders of the affected countries, threatening international peace and security, disrupting global supply chains, and exacerbating the suffering of the peoples of the region. This undermines their fundamental rights to security, development, and stability and contravenes international charters. The Association affirms the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The Association emphasizes that the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states is an integral part of Egypt’s national security, and that Egypt, with its strong and experienced diplomatic corps, represents a key pillar of regional stability. Egypt is capable of finding peaceful and effective solutions to halt the violations suffered by its brothers in the GCC states, reflecting its strength, regional standing, and long history of supporting peaceful paths through constructive dialogue and negotiation, and providing full support to its brothers in the region.

In this context, the Association calls upon the international community, particularly the United Nations, to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by activating its institutions and mechanisms concerned with maintaining international peace and security, such as the Security Council, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the International Commission of Inquiry. It urges the international community to take immediate and effective steps to contain the escalation, prevent the conflict from spreading, and ensure full compliance with the rules of international humanitarian law and human rights.

In this framework, the Association announces an urgent national initiative, to be hosted in Sharm El-Sheikh, as a neutral international platform capable of bringing together the parties to the conflict and the relevant regional and international powers. This initiative represents a platform for peace and a realistic solution to relaunch constructive dialogue and end the conflict. Urgent De-escalation

The proposed initiative aims to reduce tensions, create a safe environment for dialogue, and launch a serious negotiation process leading to a comprehensive and peaceful settlement that ends the state of war and prevents its expansion, while ensuring the protection of civilians and safeguarding vital infrastructure in accordance with international law.

The Association affirms that Egypt’s undertaking of this role reflects its regional standing and its ability to manage complex crises, contributing to rebuilding trust between the various parties and opening genuine prospects for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. It also highlights Egypt as a key supporter of its brothers in the Gulf states through its continued commitment to peaceful paths and constructive dialogue. In conclusion, the Association emphasizes that maintaining the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf region is an integral part of global security, and that any threat to energy resources or the safety of civilians necessitates responsible and swift international action to halt the escalation and support political processes, foremost among them the national initiative proposed by the Association in Sharm El-Sheikh, as a serious entry point towards peace.