|
A Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network delegation met with Dr. Moufid Shehab, State Minister for Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils, Counselor Mohamed Al Demerdash, Advisor to the Minister of Social Security, and Ambassador Mokhless Qutb, Secretary General of the National Council for Human Rights. The delegation discussed in the three meetings the decision to extend the state of emergency, the anti-terrorism act intended to be enacted, the situation of non-governmental organizations and human rights activists in Egypt, in addition to the forthcoming amendments to the Law No 84 of 2002 on Private Associations and Institutions. The EMHRN delegation incorporated Mr. Marc Schade-Poulsen, EMHRN Executive Director and Mr. Moataz El Fegiery, member of the executive commission of the Network and Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies executive director.
The delegation expressed concern regarding the government intention to extend the state of emergency – already in force – which is supposed to end on 31 May 2008. Delegation members expressed worries during their meeting with Dr. Moufid Shehab regarding the anti-terrorism act and its negative impact on human rights, in the light of Article 179 of the Constitution. This article represents an unprecedented breach of guarantees provided for in the Section on Rights and Public Freedoms in the text of the Egyptian Constitution as well as world constitutional traditions and international conventions the Egyptian government had ratified, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Furthermore, government overlooked remarks presented recently by the United Nations special rapporteur on terrorism and human rights to the Egyptian government in this respect. The delegation requested consultation with human rights organizations over the draft law prior to its promulgation.
The Network delegation stressed the important role of NGO's in the process of development and enhancement of human rights. They called upon government to fulfill its obligations vis-à-vis international standards, on the right to form associations while amending Law No 84 of 2002 on private associations and institutions, especially freedom of foundation, the selection of activities and geographic scope thereof, autonomy of administration, freedom to receive local and foreign funding, and that the judiciary would be the exclusive power to decide upon the dissolution of any association. The delegation also voiced deep concerns regarding the continued arbitrary closure of both the Association for Human Rights Legal Aid (AHRLA), and the Center for Trade Union and Workers' Service (CTUWS), and the persistent disregard by the Ministry of Social Security of the enforceable court sentence pronounced by the Administrative Court of Justice on 30 March 2008, which imposed on the Ministry of Social Security to register and proclaim the Centre for Trade Union and Workers' Services (CTUWS).
The delegation expressed hopes that Egypt's membership in the UN Human Rights Council would be an impetus for an overture on NGO's, so that the government would fulfill its pledges in the field of respect of human rights prior to its election. The delegation welcomed confirmations by the three official figures, who welcomed the proposal of consultation with Egyptian and international human rights organizations on the draft anti-terrorism act, and amendments to the Law on Private Associations and Institutions, which are both expected to be enacted in the upcoming parliamentary session.
It is noteworthy that the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network organized an international meeting for the working group on the right to form associations on 23 and 24 May, which publishes an annual report on the situation of NGO's and human rights activists within the Euro-Mediterranean region. The EMHRN organized, as well, a workshop, in cooperation with CIHRS, on freedom and autonomy of NGO's in Egypt. Forty human rights, feminist, developmental, environmental and child rights organizations participated in this workshop, as well as representatives of the Civil Society Campaign for Freedom of Association.
|
