The International Press Institute (IPI) expressed alarm today over the Egyptian government's decision to enforce a Mubarak-era law requiring all non-governmental organisations to register with the authorities or face criminal repercussions. The deadline for registration is today, Nov. 10, 2014.
A number of international organisations working in Egypt for press freedom, freedom of expression and human rights have expressed concern that enforcement of the Law on Associations (No. 84 of 2002) would, among other things, impede Egyptian NGOs from accessing foreign funding and limit their ability to join international associations.
Critics, such as Human Rights Watch, have also emphasised that Law No.84, in regulating the establishment and functioning of NGOs in the country, would restrict the independence of international organisations working in Egypt today.
"These provisions would extinguish a crucial element of democracy in Egypt," said Joe Stork, deputy director for Human Rights Watch Middle East and North Africa's division in July of this year.
The Thomson Reuters Foundation also weighed in earlier this year, suggesting that the law would give the Egyptian government and security agencies veto power over all activities of associations in the country.
"We ask that the current Egyptian administration to promote legislation that would protect non-governmental organisations from being prosecuted so that they can work freely in the country," said Alison Bethel McKenzie, IPI Executive Director. "IPI is increasingly concerned about the repressive measures utilised by the Egyptian government to crack down on freedom of expression defenders working in the country, this includes members of the press as well."
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The United Nations held its quadrennial Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Egypt last week in Geneva. During the meeting, the Egyptian delegation was presented with 300 recommendations addressing, among other things, controversial laws limiting freedom of expression, right of assembly, women's rights and the use of death penalty in the country. The Egyptian government has until March 2015 to respond to these recommendations.
In addition, at least seven human rights groups working in Egypt opted not to participate in this year's UPR citing fear of reprisal from the Egyptian government. During the last UPR meeting, in 2010, 165 recommendations were presented to the Egyptian government. A recent joint statement from 19 human rights organisations declared that "no progress" had been made since.
