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| Egyptian bill on NGOs threatens human rights activists | Date: 03-05-2002 |
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Egyptian bill on non-governmental organisations threatens human rights activists. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) is deeply worried over the possible adoption by the Egyptian parliament of a bill on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that seriously restricts the freedom of association in Egypt and further entrench state domination over the non-governmental sector. The proposed law retains the state’s power to block nominees for the board of directors of an association by requiring that all candidates for such positions be approved weeks in advance by the ministry of social affairs. Moreover, prior approval from the Ministry is required by NGOs wishing to receive financial support from foreign institutions, or wishing to affiliate with international organisations or coalitions. The proposed law also retains the prohibition on NGOs “practicing any political or syndicalist activities that are restricted to political parties and trade unions or professional syndicates”. Furthermore, the law also exposes NGO activists and leaders to the threat of criminal punishment for exercising their rights to freedom of association. The proposed law is remarkably similar to law 153 of 1999, a previous attempt by the Egyptian government to restrict private association that was ruled unconstitutional by the High Constitutional Court in June 2000.[1]. The law, if adopted next week by the Peoples Assembly (the lower house), will seriously undermine the fundament of the already beleaguered human rights organisations as well as other independent NGOs in Egypt. It is thus in stark contradiction the free association standards of article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Barcelona Declaration, which highlights the role of civil society in the promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Finally, article 2 of the Association Agreement, signed by EU and Egypt that, once ratified, states that the relationship between the partners should be based on respect for international human rights principles. Therefore, EMHRN calls on the Egyptian parliament to reject the proposed law in its current form, and urges the Egyptian government to stop its intimidation of civil society and respect its commitments to international human rights standards. Furthermore, EMHRN calls on EU officials to communicate concern about the pattern of restrictions on freedom to association in Egypt in bilateral and multilateral meetings with Egyptian government officials. For further information please contact: Marc Schade-Poulsen, Executive Director / Marit Floe Joergensen, Information Officer Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Wilders Plads 8 H, DK-1403 Copenhagen K, Denmark Tel: +45-32 69 89 12 / Fax: +45-32 69 89 01 E-mail: info@euromedrights.net |
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