Solidarity Press Release with Egyptian Civil Society

24^th May, 1999

The Palestinian civil society is following with deep concern the developments that are taking place in the Egyptian arena. Namely, these are the attempts to pass a new draft law for NGOs in the Egyptian parliament. This draft law has the possibility for destructive consequences in regard to Egyptian NGOs. It also legitimizes more interference and domination by the state and its apparatuses in the work of NGOs, thereby paralyzing the work of these organizations.

As we enter the third millennium, most of the world is moving toward promoting democracy and providing greater space for the development of civil society. Moreover, there are growing contributions from different societal sectors in economic, social, and political life. The Egyptian government, however, through its active efforts to pass the draft law for NGOs, is insisting on turning back the clock through increasing the state’s domination over NGOs and through undermining the democratic process.

We, the undersigned, loudly raise our voices in rejecting this draft law and declare our full support for the legitimate demands of the Egyptian civil society and its unique and distinguished role in providing services for the Egyptian people and defending their rights and interests. In declaring this, we ask the Egyptian government and the Egyptian parliament to stop the passage of this law. Instead, they should work hand-in-hand with Egyptian civil society to ensure proper regulation of the relationship between them. This should be carried out on a democratic basis that will ensure the protection of the rights of assembly and association. Instead of imposing extra restrictions on the exercise of these rights, the government and the legislative authority in Egypt should abolish the existing legal and administrative restrictions in order to ensure that the people enjoy their rights to assembly and association. The government must not derogate from its legal obligations as a party to the 1966 UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

1.  
   1. Palestinian Bar Association
   2. Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
   3. Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
   4. Addameer Association for Human Rights
   5. Women’s Affairs Center
   6. The National Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled
   7. The Society of the Central Blood Bank
   8. Palestinian Journalist Union
   9. Palestinian Red Crescent Society
   10. Union of Health Work Committees
   11. Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens’ Rights
   12. Culture and Free Thought Association
   13. Center for Democracy and Workers’ Rights
   14. Palestinian Forum of Education for Development
   15. Canaan Institute of New Pedagogy
   16. Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees

Gaza Strip