I suspect that this is aimed more at charities and social groups that are concerned with nonessential activities like human rights than groups that are working with animals, but nevertheless there are some interesting signs of more control. Ive been told that for us to collect funds deposited for Rural Wellness Initiative Egypt, which is a registered charity under Gamayet Baladna el Khidamat, that also has a recycling section, that we not only have to present stamped receipts showing that tax has been paid on the supplies, but apparently there has to be an inspection to see what we are doing and that we are actually performing a service. Im totally comfortable with that an am in fact looking forward to the visit of the inspection group at the farm where they will be greeted by fifteen dogs who in turn inspect all of our visitors. URGENT ACTION Egyptian NGOs at risk as deadline looms Egyptian human rights organizations have been warned they face closure and criminal prosecution, ahead of a government deadline for them to register under the Law on Associations. The authorities have also proposed a draft law that would erode the independence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and subject them to crushing new restrictions. The Ministry of Social Solidarity warned all NGOs on 18 July 2014 that they must register under the Law on Associations (Law 84 of 2002) “within 45 days” (by 2 September) or be held “accountable” according to the law. Many Egyptian human rights organizations operate as law firms or not-for-profit companies because the current law requires them to get permission from the Ministry of Social Solidarity before they can register and the authorities have in practice either refused to grant them registration or have ignored their applications to register. Staff working for human rights organizations have told Amnesty International they fear that the authorities will shut down unregistered NGOs and possibly prosecute their staff. The authorities have proposed a more repressive new legislation on NGOs than the current one. This draft law would give the government sweeping powers over NGOs’ registration, funding and activities, and put members of the Ministry of Interior and the General Intelligence Services on a committee overseeing international funding and the work of foreign NGOs. Egypt’s President could pass the draft law by decree at any time, human rights organizations have warned.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 07:20:46 +0000
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