For Egyptian activist, new law is a “very harsh and not understandable” attack against NGOs operating in the country
Iman Bibars slams the new law adopted by Egypt’s parliament, which leaves scope for interpretation and corruption, and does not counter the flow of money into the coffers of extremist movements. In the end, it will harm the activities of associations working for the country’s development.
Cairo (AsiaNews) – Egypt’s parliament has just approved a new law on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and now requires only the president’s signature to come into force. Social and human rights activists and organisations have strongly criticised it.
Speaking to AsiaNews, Egyptian activist Iman Bibars has called the new legislation “very harsh and not understandable”, whose interpretation and implementation will be left to “low level civil servant[s]”.
Ms Iman Bibars heads the Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women (ADEW), one of Egypt’s foremost NGO. She has a BA and an MA in political science from the American University in Cairo, and holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex University, in the UK. She is the vice president of Ashoka Global and regional director of Ashoka Arab World, an organisation involved in social entrepreneurship.
The law she criticises imposes imprisonment and heavy fines on NGOs if they carry out "political activities" or commit acts that threaten "national security or public order, morality or public health."
According to her and other critics, the law is too vague and leaves open "the door to corruption". It also does not stop the flow of money into the coffers of Islamic extremist groups or the Muslim Brotherhood.
Here is Iman Bibars’ interview with AsiaNews:
What is wrong with the new law?
I have read comments by many UN and human rights officials. I just want to say that I have not really read the law itself, and therefore I am commenting on what I have heard. If it is true that we, as volunteers, can get jailed and have to pay fines if we break the law, or even, as I heard, if we open a branch of our NGO without permission, I would find that very harsh and not understandable.
Why do you criticise the new law before even reading it?
First things first, the writers of the law did not clarify what the term "breaking the law" means. They will leave the interpretation to a low level civil servant who might not be trained. This might open the door to corruption. But it also entails punishment for people who have helped and want to help their country as if they are the enemy.
You know that many NGO working in the human rights field are not transparent. Don't you think the government will settle this situation once for all?
During the last five years, several individuals have been accused of taking money to disrupt harmony and peace in Egypt and act against the country. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were found in their bank accounts. Therefore, if they are the target, this new law will not touch them. The same goes for the Muslim Brotherhood and all groups of fundamentalists. They get their funding directly into their personal accounts. So this law will only harm development-oriented NGOs who openly ask for permission to work for the economic and health empowerment of the poor. I seriously think that those who have created this law, as we have heard it [described], have no real understanding of civil society. None of the groups that they accuse of treason has ever been an NGO. There are more than 40,000 NGOs in Egypt and out of them, less than 2% are the ones accused for any wrong doing.
I repeat! If the law is perceived to protect Egypt from those who are accused of being agents or spies it will not do that at all. I will soon read the law myself and frankly I would be sadly surprised if these articles are there, as they will affect serious development-oriented NGOs who have real impact on the ground. (LL)
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12/03/2024 10:37
