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June 2013

Egypt

Conviction and Sentencing of NGO Workers Announced; Impact Assessed

A decision by an Egyptian court to jail a number of non-governmental organizations (NGO) workers, including Westerners, over illegal operation and foreign funding is expected to wreck havoc on Egypt’s relations with the West and is seen as a bad omen for the future of NGOs in Egypt. Cairo Criminal Court sentenced on June 4, 43 NGO employees, including Egyptians and foreigners, from one to five years in prison over charges of receiving funds from foreign countries in violation of the Egyptian law and ordered closure of the five concerned NGOs with their branches. “The decision will irritate Egypt’s relations with the Western community which is completely convinced that their funding of NGOs are innocent grants to assist poor countries,” Samir Ghattas, head of Maqdis Center for Strategic Studies, told reporters. Ghattas added that the court order “incriminated” the activities of NGOs, arguing that it might lead other civil society organizations to withdraw from Egypt or find illegal ways for to enter the country. For more see http://www.coastweek.com/xin_070613_06.htm

Reaction of UK Foreign Office available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fco-minister-concerned-by-prison-sentences-for-egyptian-ngos

Story about US reaction available at

http://www.voanews.com/content/us-egypt-ngo/1675274.html

Story about German reaction available at

http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/06/08/merkel-questions-aid-to-egypt/

May 2013

Russia

Election NGO May be Shut Down Warns Justice Minister

Russia’s Justice Ministry will ask a court to close down the Golos Association, an independent election monitoring NGO, if it fails to register as a “foreign agent,” Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov said on May 15. See story at http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130515/181164053/Election-NGO-May-be-Shut-Down-Warns-Justice-Minister.html

Algeria

New Law on Associations Applied to Target HR Activists

The conviction of an activist in Algeria after he distributed leaflets about unemployment in the country is a worrying sign that a new law regulating associations is being used to restrict civil society groups’ activities, Amnesty International said.

On 6 May, Abdelkader Kherba, a member of the Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LADDH) and the National Committee for the Defence of the Rights of the Unemployed (CNDDC) was sentenced to a two-month suspended prison term and a fine of 20,000 Algerian dinars (about USD 250) for distributing leaflets on unemployment in Algeria in June 2011. He had been previously harassed by the authorities because of his work on behalf of unemployed people or in support of trade-unionists. “The latest court case against Abdelkader Kherba is yet another example of how the authorities in Algeria are misusing the law and the judicial system to intimidate those who advocate for social and economic rights,” said Ann Harrison, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa. http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/algeria-new-law-associations-used-stifle-civil-society-2013-05-07

Egypt

Country Draws Criticism Of Draft Law By UNHCHR

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay criticized the latest version of the NGO draft law on May 8.

In press statements, Pillay said that the draft law “largely ignores input from local and international human rights organizations”. She said she fears “draconian restrictions” could be imposed on civil society organizations if this draft law is enacted “If a law is passed that severely constrains the activities of civil society organizations, it will mark a further blow to the hopes and aspirations of the 2011 ‘Egyptian Revolution,’” she said. Pillay pointed out that contributions by civil society organizations will be important to the country’s future. Pillay voiced her concern regarding a possible deterioration of the status of local civil society organizations compared to their situation under the former regime. “Despite the authoritarian nature of the previous Egyptian Government, local civil society organizations were still feisty and effective operators,” she said. The story is available at http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/05/08/unchr-criticises-ngo-draft-law/#nePhoto/0/

April 2013

Kenya

New Public Benefit Organizations Act 2013 Analyzed

A lot has been written about the newly enacted Public Benefit Organizations (PBO) Act, 2013, which will repeal the NGOs Co-ordination Act of 1990. It is fair to say that some of what has been written has caused apprehension in the NGO sector. It is, therefore, important that clarity be brought to the discussion on this law. Specifically, the law seeks to improve the regulatory environment for NGOs in Kenya, increase regulator efficiency and transparency, improve sector capacity and accountability and develop dialogue between civil society and the government. The PBO Act is the product of extensive consultations involving stakeholders from relevant government agencies and NGOs involved in public benefit work. The process also benefited from consultations and borrowed good practice from various renowned PBO regulators such the Charity Commission of England and Wales and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/New-NGO-Act-balances-enablement-and-regulation/-/440808/1741134/-/45hirsz/-/index.html. The text of the Act can be found at http://ikm.co.ke/sites/default/files/downloads/Public%20Benefit%20Organisations%20Act%20-%20Synopsis.pdf.