[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16412-16413]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                      RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN EGYPT

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I have visited Egypt many times, and I have 
voted for billions of dollars in U.S. assistance for Egypt to support 
economic

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and security programs in that country. I have recognized positive 
developments in Egypt when they occur, such as the recent decision by 
the government to undertake economic reforms, including by reducing 
some subsidies.
  I also recognize the security challenges Egypt faces from instability 
and violence in Libya and in the Sinai. The U.S. has an interest in 
helping Egypt confront these challenges by addressing the underlying 
causes in a manner that is consistent with international law.
  Today I want to speak briefly about the Egyptian Parliament's recent 
passage of a restrictive new law on nongovernmental organizations, 
NGOs, that would effectively cripple Egypt's civil society for years to 
come. Rather than sign this legislation, I hope President Sisi calls 
for a new version to be drafted in cooperation with independent NGOs. 
If President Sisi does sign this law, it will be yet another step in 
the wrong direction by a government that professes to be making 
progress on civil and human rights when the facts indicate otherwise. 
Such a development would be further evidence of the need to strengthen 
existing democratic and human rights conditions on U.S. aid for Egypt.
  According to information I have received, the law passed by 
parliament on November 29 would place all NGOs in Egypt, both local and 
foreign, under the supervision and control of a committee that would be 
dominated by representatives of the Defense, Interior, and Justice 
Ministries, as well as the General Intelligence Service, the country's 
top spy agency. Among other things, the law would criminalize work that 
harms ``national security, national unity, public morals or public 
order'' but leaves those terms undefined, allowing the authorities to 
bring such charges against any group they choose. Anyone convicted of 
violating the law would face sentences of up to 5 years in prison and a 
fine of up to $56,000.
  The proposed law comes at a time when independent voices in Egypt are 
facing an existential crisis. Instead of passing a new NGO law that 
would allow both domestic and international groups to operate without 
burdensome restrictions, the Egyptian authorities have escalated their 
crackdown on independent NGOs, particularly against groups that focus 
on human rights, the rule of law, and democratic norms.
  Over the past year, a court has frozen the assets of human rights 
groups and the personal assets of human rights defenders. At least 15 
NGO founders, leaders, or staff--many from prominent groups--have been 
banned from leaving the country. An investigation into the foreign 
funding of dozens of local NGOs could result in criminal charges 
carrying sentences of up to 25 years in prison. This pattern of 
harassment and arrests is not a new phenomenon. It has been happening 
for years, and, contrary to representations of Egyptian officials, it 
is getting worse.
  I urge the Egyptian authorities to adhere to their constitution, and 
the pledges they have made in international fora such as the United 
Nations Human Rights Council, by guaranteeing freedom of expression and 
association. I urge President Sisi to reject this draconian 
legislation.
  I also want to reiterate what I said in this chamber on September 27, 
2016, when I spoke about Aya Hijazi, a young Egyptian American social 
worker currently being detained in Egypt.
  Ms. Hijazi, along with her Egyptian husband and five employees of 
their NGO Belady, has been accused of salacious crimes--accusations 
that the government has yet to corroborate with credible evidence in a 
court of law. Ms. Hijazi has been jailed and denied due process since 
May 21, 2014. She and the other defendants should be released 
immediately or provided a fair, public trial so they can defend 
themselves.

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