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New law to restrict the formation of human rights NGO's - Egypt Date: 13-06-2003
The Egyptian government uses new law to restrict the formation of human rights organizations
                                                                                         Copenhagen, 13.6.2003
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network is deeply concerned about the state repression of the Egyptian civil society.
Two well known Egyptian Human rights organizations, the Land Center for Human Rights and The New Women’s Research Center, have received a rejection of registration from the Ministry of Social Affairs “for security reasons” on the request of the Security Directory of the Giza Branch.
The rejection means in practical terms that without the permission, the staff of these of these organizations, their members and their boards of directors will be at risk of prosecution and possible imprisonment simply for exercising their right to form an association to promote and protect human rights.
The decision of the ministry of social affairs is based on the newly adopted Law of Associations, law 84 of 2002, that requires all non-governmental organizations to register with the government. The rejection of registration of the two above mentioned organization, is only the most recent incident of the governments suppression of the Egyptian civil society and follows state persecution of Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim, the well-known human rights defender and director of the Ibn Khaldun Centre for Development Studies, The decision runs counter to Egypt’s commitment to the Barcelona declaration of November 1995 which states that the partners will guarantee the effective legitimate exercise of fundamental human rights and freedoms, including freedom of association for peaceful purposes. In Barcelona Egypt also committed herself to encourage actions of support for democratic institutions and for the strengthening of the rule of law and civil society; and it recognised the essential contribution civil society can make in the progress of development of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
Therefore, EMHRN 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
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