According to the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), the Egyptian Ministry of Justice has announced a new draft law that activists worry will "muzzle dissenting voices and gag public freedoms" in the country. The proposed law bans foreign government funding of NGOs, and mandates NGO registration with the Egyptian state, thus subjecting all activities to the approval of a committee comprised of representatives from several ministries and security apparatus personnel. Violations of the law, including aiding a foreign CSO "in the exercise of any activity in Egypt," carry punishments as severe as imprisonment for not less than one year and fines up to £E 100,000 (approximately US$ 14,820).
Feb. 12.─ Last week, and in the aftermath of mounting political tensions and street violence shaking the country, the Egyptian Ministry of Justice announced a new draft Law on Civil Associations and Foundations and a draft law on demonstrations for consideration and approval by the government.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) are deeply disturbed that such repressive legislation should be taken by the Egyptian authorities in an attempt to muzzle dissenting voices and gag public freedoms in the country.
This most disquieting development comes in a context where public authorities have been meeting street protests with excessive use of force entailing tear gas and rubber bullets, leaving over60 dead and dozens of wounded over the past weeks. Widespread criticism from the media and Human Rights organisations alike, have been met with defamation and trials, and legal moves attempting to criminalise such criticism.
EMHRN and its partners are particularly worried that the Egyptian government aims at institutionalising and legalising repressive practices that have not changed since the Mubarak era.
If ratified, the law on demonstrations would blankly criminalise peaceful protest movements, by prohibiting any disturbance "of security or public order, prohibiting the hindrance to citizens' interests, or the blocking of roads and other means of transport, obstructing traffic, or attacking personal property, or hindering the freedom to work." [1] It would also result in justifying use of excessive force by security forces in dispersing demonstrations.
The bill on associations and foundations, currently tabled for discussion by the Egyptian government, would leave only a dramatically-shrunken space for NGOs and other Civil Society Organisations to operate in Egypt, by virtually "nationalising" civil organisations ...
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