Eight US NGOs Denied Legal Status in Egypt as the US State Department Denies It
Apr 23, 2012 21:47 Moscow Time
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© Collage: The Voice of Russia
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A Cairo court has denied 8 American NGOs, including the Carter Center, official accreditation in Egypt.
The judges are examining evidence that in the period between 2005 and 2011 foreign-led NGOs operating in Egypt received $175mn in foreign funds. Forty three people, including 19 Americans, are facing charges of illegal interference in Egypt’s internal affairs.
In early March, Egypt lifted an entry ban on 17 foreigners in exchange for financial aid.
WKOG admin: Meanwhile, The Egypt Independent reports on April 27, 2012 that the US State Dept denies Egypt made a decision on licenses of 8 NGOs:
US State Dept says Egypt made no decision on licenses of 8 NGOs
The US State Department denied on Thursday reports that the Egyptian government refused permission to eight American nonprofit groups to operate locally.
“Our embassy in Cairo reports that they think it was bad reporting; that in fact, no decisions have been made by the Egyptians,” State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters.
Associated Press reported on Monday that the eight American nonprofit groups in question include The Carter Center, an organization headed by former President Jimmy Carter that monitors elections.
The licenses were denied because the groups’ activities “breach the country’s sovereignty,” AP quoted a Social Affairs Ministry official as saying.
AP said that the official also warned that if any of the groups attempt to operate without permits they will be penalized in accordance with the law, which makes it unlikely that The Carter Center would be allowed to observe the upcoming vote.
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