A delegation from the Euro-Mediterranean Network for Human Rights on Tuesday criticized human rights conditions in Egypt, as well as what they consider to be a smear campaign against civil society organizations and the current civil society organizations law which restricts their work.
During a meeting between the delegation and the People’s Assembly’s human rights committee on Monday evening, Kamal al-Jandoly, the network’s representative in Tunisia, said the delegation came to Egypt following the disturbing developments concerning the human rights situation.
Jandoly pointed out recent human rights violations which include, "Trials not subject to objective criteria, torture cases, the deaths occurring during rallies and protests, in addition to a rise in harassment incidents against women."
Commenting on the warnings of a number of MPs on the risks of dealing with European-funded civil society organizations, Jandoly said one must make the distinction between good and evil, and friend and foe in Europe.
Ayman Abdel Sattar, a Tunisian human rights activist and a member of the delegation, said the delegation read the NGO draft law prepared by the Egyptian government. He said the current law restricts civil society organizations and is a return to the era of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
Abdel Sattar went on to say that the biggest problem facing NGOs in Egypt is licensing, which was also a problem in Tunisia during the reign of ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
"We recognize the fact that there is a paragraph in the law that does not take the two parties into account — the state and the NGOs,” said Assistant Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs Fahmi Fayed.
“The state’s delayed approval of the licensing of organizations has led to the establishment of organizations that work without permission."
MP Ziad al-Elaimy of the Egyptian Social Democratic party then addressed the delegation, saying, “During your visit, you felt no change from the past, as the same people affiliated with the former regime continue to work in the government, and it is as if they are expressing this regime’s desire to remain [in power].”
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
