CAIRO: Human Rights First condemned Egypt's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Faiza Abul Naga's statements accusing the United States of “trying to hijack the January 25 revolution and manipulate the situation in Egypt in accordance with its interests and that the American insistence of supporting NGOs signals a clear scheme to disrupt any opportunity for Egypt to become a modern democratic state.” The organization described these statements as “odd” and a “cynical attempt by the minister to exploit the national sentiment to disseminate misleading information.” Neil Hicks, a member of the organization, said that Abul Naga`s statements instigated the prosecution of 43 of civil society activists, including 19 Americans, and “led to restrictions on dozens of others, which threatens the peaceful democratic transformation in Egypt,” stressing that the presence of strong and independent civil society organizations, “helps in promoting democracy and monitoring the government's practices regarding human rights, which is an essential part of any free society.” Hicks noted that Abul Naga has served as minister for international cooperation since 2004, and held this position since the era of former President Hosni Mubarak, which he described as “one of the most repressive and anti-democratic eras.” BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/qgeJQ Tags: Abul Naga, featured, NGO, rights Section: Egypt, Human Rights, Latest News
