We Were There… Thanks, Maat Mission

By: Ayman Okeil

As soon as I step foot in the old streets of Geneva, I feel as if I’m wandering among pieces of art from the Middle Ages. Geneva stands as the second city, after Cairo, where I find psychological comfort, offering me the peace and quiet I seek away from the hustle and bustle.

I must admit that Geneva leaves an impression that is not easily erased! I have visited more than thirty times, participating in the UPR sessions, the Human Rights Council sessions, and various contracting committees. Each time I return, I strive to discover something new about this remarkable city. The raindrops tapping on the umbrella I raised as I walked the streets toward the Human Rights Council headquarters reminded me of the values of hard work and influence that permeate this city. They may have shielded me from the rain, but they didn’t deter my relentless pursuit of knowledge and experience in this hub of international institutions, particularly during a time of unprecedented challenges from the United States and its ally, Israel.

This time, Maat mission participated in the 48th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism. Although this was not our first mission, it was the most challenging, representing the culmination of nearly a year of preparation. What stood out to me was its diversity of participants and its considerable size.

Preparations for Maat mission began in May 2024, involving communication with partners and the launch of the Egyptian Coalition for the Universal Periodic Review. Throughout this period, our ambitions grew and expanded. We had partners and enthusiastic young people on this mission. I can confidently say that their imaginations reach for the sky, their ambitions are boundless, and their passion for work, learning, training, and gaining experience is evident in their eyes, fueled by their belief in our capacity to influence change.

What pleased me most about this mission was the training of 35 young individuals from Geneva, Europe, and Africa. The training program, crafted on solid scientific foundations, prepared these young people to engage with the 48th session of the UPR mechanism. This collective effort enabled them to participate in interactive dialogue sessions, review outcome adoption sessions, parallel events, and information meetings from within the United Nations Palace in Geneva.

The peaceful vigil organized by Maat Mission, in cooperation with the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council of the African Union, along with a coalition of major non-governmental organizations in Africa affiliated with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the International Alliance for Peace and Development, took place next to the broken chair in front of the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. This event was a testament to the solidarity and spirit that united the members of the mission. The vigil carried the slogan “Unite for Peace… Reparations Are Not Only Material.” Notably, the issue of compensation is the African Union’s theme for 2025. I firmly believe that the efforts and dedication of the mission members, the nobility of their purpose, and the positive spirit among us were the keys to the success of this vigil, which saw over 60 participants braving the cold, frost, and biting winds that tested our resolve but did not diminish our determination.

I vividly recall the sparkle of tears of joy and victory in our eyes throughout the mission. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all members of Maat Mission—those who were with us in Geneva and those who contributed from their home countries—as well as to the entire administrative team at Maat. Thank you, a thousand times over, for your efforts. I promise to continue on the path of success, ensuring that Maat remains, twenty years after its establishment, a beacon for peace, development, and human rights. These words will serve as a living archive of what we do and aspire to achieve in the future. Life holds no meaning if it does not inspire us daily to create positive change in the lives of others.