Freedom House Challenges Egyptian Law
Published in Al Ahram
(Egypt) on 10 May 2010
by Ahmed Moussa (link to original)
In blatant violation of Egyptian law, and in a move that has led to consternation in Egypt, the U.S. organization known as Freedom House has decided to work directly with certain political organizations in Egypt, without proper oversight of the financing of its various activities [at least for the near future].
These unjustified actions reveal the extent of the role that illegal and illegitimate political organizations and entities play in Egypt in order to implement an American agenda, whether it be carrying out illegal political activities, attempting to destabilize the nation’s peace or disregarding Egyptian laws that prohibit political entities from receiving money. Freedom House is not behaving like other Egyptian civil society organizations that practice their activities in accordance with the law.
Freedom House has resorted to this action during a period of political change in Egypt, in light of the upcoming elections for the Shura (Consultative) Council. In recent years, Freedom House has directed its funds to help Egyptian bloggers, the most notable among them activist Israa Abdel Fattah, who is closely linked to Ayman Nour. Nour, who was convicted of forging petition signatures for his El Ghad party, was recently released from prison on medical grounds. Now, Freedom House seems bent on using funds from Washington pockets to influence the upcoming elections, which are being held to allocate half of the seats in the Shura Council.
These exceptional moves by the U.S. organization are contrary to the message its delegation presented during a recent meeting with Egyptian officials. The aim of the meeting was to require Freedom House not to encourage or support any activities by organizations or individuals that are against the law. These moves also do not inspire confidence in the goals or credibility of the U.S. organization. Ignoring the law requiring oversight of its finances raises a question mark, provoking doubt and suspicion regarding its publicly stated aims and positions, not to mention those that are concealed in private. But these will be uncovered and exposed!
These unjustified actions reveal the extent of the role that illegal and illegitimate political organizations and entities play in Egypt in order to implement an American agenda, whether it be carrying out illegal political activities, attempting to destabilize the nation’s peace or disregarding Egyptian laws that prohibit political entities from receiving money. Freedom House is not behaving like other Egyptian civil society organizations that practice their activities in accordance with the law.
Freedom House has resorted to this action during a period of political change in Egypt, in light of the upcoming elections for the Shura (Consultative) Council. In recent years, Freedom House has directed its funds to help Egyptian bloggers, the most notable among them activist Israa Abdel Fattah, who is closely linked to Ayman Nour. Nour, who was convicted of forging petition signatures for his El Ghad party, was recently released from prison on medical grounds. Now, Freedom House seems bent on using funds from Washington pockets to influence the upcoming elections, which are being held to allocate half of the seats in the Shura Council.
These exceptional moves by the U.S. organization are contrary to the message its delegation presented during a recent meeting with Egyptian officials. The aim of the meeting was to require Freedom House not to encourage or support any activities by organizations or individuals that are against the law. These moves also do not inspire confidence in the goals or credibility of the U.S. organization. Ignoring the law requiring oversight of its finances raises a question mark, provoking doubt and suspicion regarding its publicly stated aims and positions, not to mention those that are concealed in private. But these will be uncovered and exposed!
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