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| Publication of a report on freedom of association in Egypt | Date: 11-08-1999 |
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Human Rights Organisations and Freedom of Association in Egypt New report published by the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) in cooperation with the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) The report "Human Rights Organisations and Freedom of Association in Egypt" was released today in English, French and Arabic. It analyses the new law regulating NGO's in Egypt. According to the (EMHRN) and the (FIDH) the law "unnecessarily restricts the right of freedom to association as guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Egypt" and "represents a step back for the promotion and protection of human rights within the framework of the Barcelona Process". The EMHRN and the FIDH recommend that: the new law is reconsidered as soon as possible in a transparent process of consultation with the Egyptian NGO community. the EU demands that Egypt repeals the law and monitors developments restricting the freedom of association in Egypt. the EU Parliament demand that the law be repealed before ratifying the Association Agreement between the EU and Egypt funding agencies should continue to support NGOs regardless of the adoption of the law. The new law on Civil Associations and Institutions (no153 of 1999) imposes a wide range of restrictions on the NGOs and gives the authorities far-reaching control of their activities. NGOs are required to receive prior approval from the Minister of Social Affairs in order to acquire foreign funding or to join or affiliate with an organisation abroad. The authorities can deny legal status to any organisation performing activities that they deem as threatening "national unity", ban associations practising any political or trade union action, and oppose candidates for the board of directors. Organisations violating the law can be dissolved or subjected to criminal penalties including up to one year imprisonment. The new law follows regular campaigns against human rights organisation in Egypt over the past years and was adopted while EU was concluding an Association agreement with Egypt stipulating respect for human rights. Paris/Copenhagen Contact: Sara Guillet, tel. +33 1 43 55 25 18 or Marc Schade-Poulsen, tel. +45 33 30 88 27 |
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