Perspectivas / Perspectives

En este importante evento se gestó el Grupo Parlamentario Latinoamericano de Amistad con el Movimiento Democrático Cubano 

Santiago de Chile, Feb. 5.─ El foro Relaciones Internacionales y Derechos Humanos: La visión europea y latinoamericana se realizó con el apoyo de la Escuela de Gobierno de la Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (foto) y contó con el auspicio institucional del Centro Internacional Demócrata Cristiano de Suecia, la organización humanitaria checa People In Need y el Observatorio Hannah Arendt de Venezuela.

El programa, dividido en tres paneles, incluyó presentaciones sobre "Política Exterior, Derechos Humanos y Solidaridad Democrática Internacional", "Comercio Internacional, Responsabilidad Social Empresaria y Derechos Humanos", "Normativa Internacional de los Derechos Humanos y el Sistema Democrático" y "Testimonios de Solidaridad Democrática Internacional".

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.