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The NGOs campaign to advocate
Freedom of Organization
Press statement - 24/5/2007
Recently, there has been an increase in oppression and siege
indications which are practiced by the governmental bodies upon
NGOs, especially those which work in the human rights and
development fields. These actions were raised by the People’s
Council and State Council since the last constitutional
amendments, despite the opposition of all powers, political
parties and human rights organizations. This is due to the fact
that this tactic produces a negative effect on citizen’s rights
to life, participation, and privacy. These conducts of
oppression and siege seem to be done according to specific
strategy of overthrowing (abolishing) all ways of organizations’
freedoms and rights. The government has practiced this through a
number of policies and laws which restrict the freedom of
forming political parties, labor and vocational syndicates and
all forms of civil organization.
Consequently, the headquarters for trade unions and workers
services in Naga Hamadi, Al Mahala Al Kubra and Helwan were
closed by the administrative bodies falsely claiming that they
did not possess a license! This matter calls for the solidarity
of local and international organizations. These bodies
previously closed the headquarters of Ahalina center for
supporting and developing Egyptian families in Shubra El Khama,
taking the same claim.
The signatory organizations have assured that the continuous
calls by the governmental bodies to NGOs in practicing its
actions, and its speech about a participatory relationship
between it and these organizations contradict all practices by
these bodies themselves against NGOs, and violate the principle
of organization freedom.
The signatory organizations announce its adaptation to a
campaign in advocating the citizens’ freedom in organizing
peaceful groups, associations, foundations, parties and
syndicates which confront all forms of violations to above
mentioned freedom through using all legal ways, aiming at:
- Guaranteeing all NGOs’ enjoyment of independence of the state
and having the right to form their policies and priorities with
choosing their work mechanisms and organizational framework.
- Facing any aggression upon NGOs’ freedom or any interference
within its affairs which is considered an illegal act, even if
it is appeared in a legal form.
- Calling for NGOs’ right to working in a democratic climate
which provides for the freedom of movement, moving forward,
creativity and assuring the right of establishing association,
(needless of license or previous permission, non-licensing of
putting any restrictions or obstacles on the way of establishing
associations).
Other Links
- Why the Campaign Unit for the NWF?
- NWF adopts the first lawsuit against sexual harassment
- Closing statement Women in labor market conference (Women in work)