He said, "The Egyptian authorities are using a discredited Mubarak-era law
to prosecute nongovernmental groups while proposing even more restrictive
legislation. The government should stop using the old law, halt the criminal
investigations, and propose a law that respects international standards."
He concluded: "This campaign targets the Egyptian human rights and
democracy groups that were prevented from registering by Mubarak's
security forces. Foreign funding is their lifeline. Egypt's military
government is now using the kind of tactics used by Zimbabwe and Ethiopia
to silence independent voices."
UPDATE: POMED reports that President Barack Obama proposed $1.3
billion in military aid to Egypt for the fiscal year of 2013 amid an ongoing
investigation by Egypt's judiciary into foreign-funded nongovernmental
organizations. Lawmakers threatened to withdraw the aid in response to the
indictment of American citizens of U.S.-funded NGOs in Egypt. U.S. State
Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland warned that the standoff "could
have implications for this relationship and for our ability to disburse this
money." Nuland added that the U.S. Embassy still has not received formal
charges against the indicted Americans. Muslim Brotherhood Member of
Parliament (MP) Essam Al Erian countered these threats, saying, "if the US
administration decides to cut [its aid], then Egypt has the full right to modify
or withdraw from the [Camp David peace treaty with Israel]."
.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
