On June 4, Egypt’s courts concluded the year and a half long sentence of 43 workers in 4 non-governmental organizations based in Cairo. Sentences varied from 1 to 5 years in prison as well as the confiscation of the NGO’s assets. The defendants were accused of illegally receiving foreign funds for their respective work in Egypt. The NGO’s involved were the National Democratic Institute (NDI) , the International Republican Institute (IRI), Freedom House, International Center for Journalists, and Germany’s Adenauer Foundation (KAS). Below are the international responses from American and European governmental and human rights organizations to the verdict.
United States
Secretary of State, John Kerry
The United States is deeply concerned by the guilty verdicts and sentences, including the suspended sentences, handed down by an Egyptian court today against 43 NGO representatives in what was a politically-motivated trial. This decision runs contrary to the universal principle of freedom of association and is incompatible with the transition to democracy. Moreover, the decision to close these organizations’ offices and seize their assets contradicts the Government of Egypt’s commitments to support the role of civil society as a fundamental actor in a democracy and contributor to development, especially at this critical stage in the Egyptian people’s democratic transition. Civic groups and international NGOs play a legitimate role in any democracy and are critical to advancing freedoms, supporting universal human rights, giving voice to citizens’ views, and acting as appropriate checks on the government. I urge the Government of Egypt to work with civic groups as they respond to the Egyptian people’s aspirations for democracy as guaranteed in Egypt’s new constitution. [6/4/2013]
The United States is deeply concerned by the verdicts issued today by an Egyptian court against representatives of non-governmental organizations in what was a politically-motivated trial. The court’s decision undermines the protection of universal human rights and calls into question the Government of Egypt’s commitments to support the important role of civil society. Civic groups, including international non-governmental organizations, play a key role in successful democracies. They are critical to advancing freedoms, supporting universal human rights, and acting as appropriate checks on the government. We urge the Government of Egypt to protect the ability of these groups to operate freely, including by ensuring that the civil society law under consideration by the Shura Council conforms with international standards, and by working with international and domestic civic organizations to ensure they can support Egypt’s transition to democracy. [6/4/2013]
House Majority Leader Cantor and Minority Whip Hoyer
We are deeply disappointed by today’s verdict at the Cairo Criminal Court, which represents just the latest assault by the Egyptian government on civil society. The NGOs unjustly targeted by Egyptian authorities have a long and distinguished record of helping countries build democratic institutions, capable political parties, and robust civil societies. Elections alone do not make a nation democratic – it is through building transparent institutions and processes that reflect the will of the people and protect the rights of all citizens that true democracies are sustained. Today’s verdict does a great disservice to those who have worked tirelessly to safeguard the democratic gains of Egypt’s popular revolution. It also highlights legitimate concerns that the Morsi government’s proposed NGO law will erode fundamental democratic principles and restrict Egyptians’ rights and ability to engage politically with each other and their leaders. [6/4/2013]
National Security Council Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden
The United States is deeply concerned by the verdicts issued today by an Egyptian court against representatives of non-governmental organizations in what was a politically-motivated trial. The court’s decision undermines the protection of universal human rights and calls into question the Government of Egypt’s commitments to support the important role of civil society. Civic groups, including international non-governmental organizations, play a key role in successful democracies. They are critical to advancing freedoms, supporting universal human rights, and acting as appropriate checks on the government. We urge the Government of Egypt to protect the ability of these groups to operate freely, including by ensuring that the civil society law under consideration by the Shura Council conforms with international standards, and by working with international and domestic civic organizations to ensure they can support Egypt’s transition to democracy. [6/4/2013]
Members of Congress
- Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
- Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)
- Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)
- Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
- Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
- Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX)
- Rep. Ilena Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
- Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
- Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY)
- Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA)
- Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
- Rep. David Price (D-NC)
- Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA),
European Union
European Union, Catherine Ashton and Štefan Füle
We wish to express our concern at the recent Court ruling in Egypt sentencing the 43 employees of foreign NGOs referred to trial in December 2011 to between one and five years in jail. This verdict conveys a negative signal regarding the work of civil society. We will continue to follow closely the judicial process in this case. Civil society has a crucial role to play in Egypt’s ongoing democratic transition. It must be allowed to operate freely. The EU has been working actively with Egyptian civil society and has developed several highly successful projects which promote universal human rights. We reiterate the EU’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that an NGO law, fully in line with international standards and Egypt’s commitments under international human rights law, is adopted. [6/5/2013]
European Parliament, Martin Schulz
The conviction of 43 NGO workers is unacceptable, unjustified and intended to strangle a vivid civil society in Egypt. The court’s decision to close five foreign NGOs in Egypt and to confiscate their assets contradicts the Egyptian government’s international commitment to guarantee that NGOs and civic activists may operate freely in the country. It is a disappointment to see a democratically-elected government using the same old practices of intimidation as the ones used under the Mubarak regime. President Morsi’s government has the political responsibility to respond to the Egyptian people’s aspirations for freedom of expression and association. [6/5/2013]
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, European Parliament
It is totally unacceptable that Egypt, calling itself democratic now, is using a law from Mubarak to organize a crackdown on NGOs that are there to support democracy. First refusing to register these NGO’s for many years and then jailing their employees because they work for a not registered NGO is a tactic from a dictatorship not a democratic government. Closing down NGO offices is closing down the revolution. This is again a reason for the EU to cut its funding to Egypt until it respects basic democratic rules. [6/4/2013]
ALDE Member and MEP, Marietje Schaake
These 43 people stood on trial based on Mubarak’s NGO law. This government is right now finalizing a new NGO law that is even worse. The EU must stand firm on its principles of democracy and human rights and stop aid to Egypt if this new NGO law is adopted. In the EU-Egypt Taskforce we set some conditions. If the EU wants to retain some credibility, it must show it means what it says. [6/4/2013]
ALDE Member and MEP, Edward McMillan-Scott
Closing down NGOs that empower civil society is an attempt to silence everyone who wants to build a democratic society. This is the complete opposite of what the Egyptian revolution was about. The trial was politicized from the very beginning. It is clear that the so-called independence of the Egyptian judges is no more than a farce. [6/4/2013]
Germany
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
We are outraged and highly disturbed by the harsh sentences imposed on employees of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Cairo and the order to close its offices. The Egyptian judiciary’s actions give cause for concern. Civil society, a vital pillar of democracy in a newly democratic Egypt, is weakened by these measures. We will support the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in its efforts to have these verdicts repealed. German political foundations in Egypt are doing excellent work. In a period of great historic significance for Egypt, they are helping to foster the stabilization of democratic structures, the rule of law, pluralism and the dialogue among cultures in an exemplary manner. [6/4/2013]
Italy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the Cairo Administrative Court’s sentencing of 43 members of foreign non-governmental organizations, 27 of whom were judged in absentia, to a period of detention varying from 1 to 5 years in prison, and to close the Egypt-based offices of 5 NGOs that include the Konrad Adenauer Institute, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute. All are organizations whose commitment on behalf of democracy and civil and political rights everywhere in the world has been unanimously recognized. Fully acknowledging Egyptian sovereignty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its hope that subsequent legal proceedings will take into due account the need to fully guarantee the principles of freedom of association and speech. [6/5/2013]
Norway
Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide
I am deeply concerned about the severe sentences handed down against local and international representatives of NGOs in Egypt, including one Norwegian,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. The sentences and the trial show a very worrying trend for civil society in Egypt. Civil society is playing an essential role in the process of democratization in Egypt,” said the Foreign Minister. More than 40 NGO representatives were found guilty today, and received prison sentences of up to five years and fines for breaches of Egyptian law relating to NGOs. Like most of the other defendants, the Norwegian national was convicted in absentia. [6/5/2013]
Rights Organizations
United Nations
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay
On 4 June 2013, the Cairo Criminal Court ruled on the case of the 43 NGO workers, all of whom were found guilty. 27 of the defendants were sentenced in absentia to five years imprisonment. The other defendants received different sentences. The verdict is based on an article of the penal Code (which dates back to the Mubarak era) that is vaguely worded and has often been interpreted in ways that have led to severe limitations of the right to freedom of association. Provisions regulating the right to association should be interpreted and implemented in conformity with the relevant international jurisprudence. Restrictions should only be imposed in line with international human rights obligations, especially Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was ratified by Egypt in 1982. The High Commissioner is very concerned about this verdict. We understand that the defendants are appealing, and we will continue to follow the case closely. [6/7/2013]
Human Rights Watch Statement, Sarah Leah Whitson
These are unjust convictions based on an unjust law. These workers for independent organizations should never have been charged in the first place. What’s particularly disheartening is that the new draft NGO law the Morsi government has proposed reflects the same suspicion of independent organizations that was the driving force behind the trial. [6/5/2013]
Amnesty International Statement
Amnesty International urges the Egyptian authorities to respect freedom of association and enable NGOs to carry out work in the country without hindrance. “The verdict appears to be intended to deal a deadly blow to civil society in Egypt,” said Philip Luther, Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme. “The Egyptian authorities must act now to protect independent civil society in Egypt and respect their commitment to human rights. This ruling sends a message that the Egyptian authorities continue to view NGOs with suspicion because of their work addressing and exposing human rights violations.” READ MORE [6/5/2013]
The Carter Center is gravely concerned about the shrinking space for civil society in Egypt. The conviction this week of 43 Egyptian and foreign NGO workers who had been engaged in peaceful, democracy promotion activities is the most recent example. Also troubling, is the restrictive and onerous draft legislation to regulate civil society that is under discussion at the Shura Council currently. Recognizing the fundamental role of civil society in the ongoing transition in Egypt, The Carter Center strongly urges President Morsi and members of the Shura Council to take proactive and positive steps to create a climate conducive to full participation in public life Egypt, both in law and in practice. [6/6/2013]
Targeted NGOs
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is shocked and deeply distressed by the unjust conviction June 4 of its employees on trial in Egypt and those of the International Republican Institute, Freedom House, the International Center for Journalists and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The work of these 43 individuals to strengthen and support democracy in Egypt should be commended, not prosecuted. The verdict also has a chilling effect on the important efforts of civil society in Egypt. NDI intends to appeal this decision and hopes that the court’s decision will be overturned. The Institute will do whatever it can to clear the names of its innocent employees. READ MORE [6/4/2013]
International Republican Institute (IRI)
As IRI has said since this assault against international and Egyptian non-governmental organizations began more than a year ago, this was not a ‘legitimate judicial process’ as claimed by Egyptian officials. This was a politically motivated effort to squash Egypt’s growing civil society, orchestrated through the courts, in part by Mubarak-era holdovers. IRI will pursue all avenues to challenge today’s verdict. Today’s ruling will have a chilling effect on Egyptian civil society and, taken with other recent developments, raises serious questions about Egypt’s commitment to the democratic transition that so many people demanded when they took to the streets in early 2011. READ MORE [6/4/2013]
Freedom House condemns in the strongest possible terms the conviction of 43 NGO workers, including six currently with Freedom House and a former staff member, after a government-led witch-hunt intended to strangle civil society activity and limit free expression in post-revolutionary Egypt. As evidence of that, the judge in the case also ordered the permanent closure of all the organizations involved. READ MORE [6/4/2013]
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