On Wednesday 31 May, the spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS) criticised the new law on non-governmental organisations in Egypt, deeming it to put additional constraints on the activities of NGOs while limiting the space for debate and discussion in the country.
This legislation "risks making civil society's contribution to political, economic and social development more difficult" in Egypt, the EEAS spokesperson said in a press release. Furthermore, in the spokesperson's view, certain provisions, such as those related to the registration process, the activities NGOs allowed to perform and the procedure for receiving domestic and foreign funding, "are also likely to directly affect European cooperation assistance to Egypt" at time when cooperation between the EU and Egypt relies on non-governmental organisations.
The Egyptian authorities must "apply the new law in a way that does not intimidate, restrict or criminalise peaceful human rights civil society organisations and their members", the EEAS spokesperson stated. "A flourishing civil society, able to work in good conditions, is important for democratic and economic development and to help build political stability", the spokesperson said, adding that the EU expected the Egyptian government to fully implement and uphold all the guarantees stipulated in the Egyptian Constitution and in international law and standards regarding the freedom of expression and association.
On 24 May, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi enacted this new law that regulates the activities of NGOs and that provides for punishment of up to five years in prison and fines of up to €59,000 in cases where these provisions are not respected. Under this law, no organisation can conduct a study or poll and publish it unless it has the authorisation of the state. Foreign NGOs will also have to pay up to €18,000 in order to set up in Egypt, and they will have to renew their permission regularly. A "national authority" comprising representatives from the security and intelligence services, as well as from the army, will handle all issues related to funding from abroad or to the activities of foreign organisations set up in Egypt. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)