Spain Urges Egypt To Scrap Restrictions On NGOs
By KUNA
Spain called Tuesday on the Egyptian government to wipe out all restrictions on non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a release, voiced concern over Cairo’s recent move to prosecute NGOs’ members.
It said Egypt, while shifting towards democracy, needs to enable the civil society to play its due role in a free democratic and open society.
But, it called on Egyptian authorities to ensure just and fair investigations into the case.
In December, Egyptian authorities launched a crackdown on 17 NGOs in Cairo, accusing them of illegally operating in Egypt and receiving funds from abroad without permission.
Egypt’s military rulers accuse the groups of funding and promoting anti-government protests. The groups deny the charges.
On Saturday, Egyptian authorities decided to take 43 members of NGOs to court for receiving funds from foreign organizations without permission from the government.
