CAIRO: Some 16 international human rights organizations working in Egypt sent a letter to the Egyptian government to insist it end the raids on the headquarters of any Egyptian and international NGO. The group also expressed their concern over the protection of employees and called on the government not to intimidate them by ongoing investigations and to halt the “smear campaign” against them that aims at “distorting the image of civil society organizations and tarnishing their reputation among Egyptian citizens.” They demanded the government facilitate and enable civil society organizations to operate freely and effectively to contribute to the economic development and democratic change in Egypt. The statement from the organizations called for re-drafting the law on associations in line with international standards on human rights ratified by Egypt, and “to ensure that the law aims to liberalize civil society in Egypt and to develop clear criteria for the registration of all organizations, whether working in the areas of development or human rights or humanitarian activities.” It explained that the basis of the activities of these organizations is “to alleviate the suffering of the poor by taking into account their interests through the provision of basic social services and the implementation of development programs in the fields of water and sanitation, food, health, education, job creation and the like.” It continued: “In order for these organizations to succeed, in the implementation of such programs are working either independently or with the help of international aid agencies, and that they are also working to spread the values of democracy and the rule of law and protection of fundamental human rights.” It emphasized that civil society organizations play a key role in supporting the pursuit of democracy in Egypt, and “infringement on the freedom of civil society adversely affects the ability to undertake this important role.” The statement concluded that it “fears that the crackdown on Egyptian civil society of both investigations or smear campaigns in the media or to pass a draft law that puts further restrictions on freedoms, will hinder local and international civil society organizations` performance of their role in Egypt, which provide vital assistance in various fields of development and the defense of rights.” The letter was signed by 16 international organizations, including Amnesty International, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Organizations, International Center for NGOs laws, the International Alliance for Women. The letter was directed to the government over the crackdown on civil society groups in the country and the trial of some 43 Egyptian and foreign workers to begin on February 26. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/aHH6V Tags: featured, Governmnet, Letter, NGO, rights Section: Egypt, Human Rights, Latest News
