CAIRO - Human Rights Watch (HRW) asked the Egyptian Government to "immediately" stop interrogating non-government organisations (NGOs) over receiving aid from foreign donors. The international body said halting foreign aid to Egyptian NGOs would put an end to their operations, citing weak State funding. "Egypt's State Security prosecutor should immediately stop the 'treason' investigations into Egyptian NGOs accused of receiving foreign funding," Human Rights Watch said on its website. "The fact that Egyptian authorities have started a criminal investigation using the same methods Hosni Mubarak used to strangle civil society sends out alarming signals about the transitional Government's commitment to human rights," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa (MENA) director at HRW. "Egypt should reform the Associations Law to protect civil society's independence and freedom, instead of further tightening the screws and threatening criminal prosecution," he added. Earlier this month, the Cabinet announced that a Justice Ministry report had identified more than 30 NGOs that were receiving foreign funding and were not registered with the Solidarity and Social Justice Ministry as required by the Associations' Law. It said that it had submitted this information to the prosecution. The offence is punishable with imprisonment under Egypt's Associations' Law. On Monday, Minister of International Co-operation and Planning Fayza Abul Naga said Egyptian NGOs, particularly the unregistered ones, have spent more money over the past six months than they did in the previous six years. Abul Naga said their situation has raised a "big question mark" over the sources of their funding. "Political financing for unregistered NGOs under the cover of civilian activities or following up on the elections or the like is unacceptable, since it means ignoring all State laws and sovereignty," she said, calling on them to abide by the law, which bans registered NGOs from engaging in political and party activities. According to HRW, restricting foreign funding can effectively deny civil society groups the ability to operate, as local funding sources shy away from funding controversial groups. This week, the independent weekly Al-Fagr published a leaked copy of the Justice Ministry's fact-finding committee report, listing 39 groups not registered under the Associations Law. The list includes some of Egypt's most reputable human rights organisations, according to HRW. "The fact that the targeted organisations have been criticising the military for torture and military trials makes this investigation particularly suspect," Stork commented.
