CAIRO: Egyptian security forces have stormed the offices of a number of local and international NGOs and human rights organizations, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies reported on Thursday. The security forces, dressed in both uniforms and plainclothes, forced their way into the offices of the Arab Center for Independence of Justice and Legal Professions (ACIJP), The Budgetary and Human Rights Observatory, The National Democratic Institute's (NDI) Cairo and Assiut offices, the International Republic Institute (IRI), Freedom House and Konrad Adenauer. According to the statement from the Cairo institute, the employees of the organizations are now under investigation by the public prosecutor and police are going through their papers, laptops and computers on the scene. Staff members of the six organizations have been warned from using their cell phones, laptops and computers; and are being isolated from contact with the outside world. In essence, they are being held prisoner inside their offices. Additionally, with regards to the ACIJP office at least, “authorities restricted access to the entire building, preventing people from entering or exiting the building.” CIHRS said that the move is part of the ruling military junta's “campaign” against civil society and human rights groups in Egypt. In recent months, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has accused local NGOs of receiving money from abroad, and have argued to the public that the recent unrest in the country is by “foreign hands.” “The NDI, IRI, and Freedom House have been previously investigated by the ministry of justice on charges of receiving foreign funding, while the Arab Center for the Independence of Justice and Legal Professions has not been yet investigated,” said CIHRS. Investigations of the Budgetary and Human Rights Observatory was due to start on Sunday. “The storming of NGO offices is an unprecedented move in the recent history of Egyptian NGOs. In February 2011, during the 18 days Egyptian revolution, Military Police have stormed the office of Hisham Mubarak Law Center (an Egyptian NGO based in Cairo) and arrested several of its members as well as staff members of other international organizations that were present at the scene,” the statement continued. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/d65Qp Tags: CIHRS, featured, Freedom House, NGOs, Security Forces Section: Egypt, Human Rights, Latest News
