Egypt freezes assets of rights campaigners, NGOs

An Egyptian court has upheld an earlier decision to freeze the assets of five prominent human rights defenders and three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as the government in Cairo keeps up its policy of repression.

According to Press TV, the court issued the ruling on Saturday accusing the defendants of illegally receiving foreign funds and using them to damage the country’s national security.

The assets freeze applies to Hossam Bahgat, Gamal Eid, Bahey el-Din Hassan, Mostafa al-Hassan and Abdel Hafez al-Tayel.

It further includes Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Hisham Mubarak Law Centre and the Egyptian Centre for the Right to Education.

The initial probe into foreign funding was launched following the 2011 popular uprising that led to the overthrow of former dictator Hosni Mubarak. The investigation has targeted civil society groups allegedly suspected of plotting against the North African country.

Under the probe, 43 Egyptian and foreign NGO staff went on trial in 2013 and were handed jail terms of up to five years for working illegally.

European Union External Action Service criticized Saturday’s court decision in a statement, saying it violates human rights.

“The increased pressure on independent Egyptian civil society, in particular human rights organizations and defenders, is not in line with Egypt’s commitments to promote and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms as guaranteed by its Constitution,” the statement read.

ME