Interview with Moataz Elfegiery (Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies)

In a few sentences, how would you describe the situation of freedom of association in Egypt?
Freedom of association in Egypt is undermined. Civil society is under the administrative and the security control of the government. The independence and freedom of NGOs, political Parties and syndicates are absent and restricted by series of laws and articles contradicting totally with the international human rights law. These laws are based on authoritarian perspective.       

What is the main positive point in the current situation?
The local and international Human Rights Organisations have been intensifying their campaign to promote freedom of association in Egypt.

The main negative point?
Two human rights organisations were closed this year arbitrarily. The restrictions and state intervention on the NGOs activities, funding and administration are daily facts. The European Union which is supposed to be the main partner for the Egyptian Civil Society is silent about these measures.

What are the main obstacles to the normal use of the freedom of association?
The legal framework is very restrictive. The repeated practices of the authorities and the state security towards many NGOs are not acceptable at all.  Civil society activists know very well that they are threatened at any time to find themselves under the arbitrary control of the state and security.

What is your personal opinion about the future of freedom of association in Egypt?
All indicators in Egypt don't refer to a governmental political will to improve freedom of association or other political and civil rights in general. This year experienced a backlash on the reform process. A number of restrictive measures have been being taken to muzzle civil and political society, private media, independent judges and protesting movements. The available news refer that the government prepare for new modifications for the association law that will impose restrictions on NGOs. The international NGOs should support Egyptian Civil Society by denouncing and unavailing such potential procedures. The European Union should prioritize freedom of association in any political or diplomatic relations with the Egyptian government. The EU should enforce human rights principles stipulated in the ENP action plan with Egypt which adopted on March 2007.

Moataz Elfegiery (Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies)
Interview carried out in December 2007