By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
SURREY, ENGLAND (ANS) -- A human rights organization is deeply concerned at the sentencing of 43 NGO employees, who were convicted of working in Egypt illegally by the Cairo Criminal Court on June 4 2013.
According to a news release from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) the employees, who included foreigners, received sentences ranging from one year to five years, though many were convicted in their absence.
According to CSW, the trial of the 43 defendants began on Feb. 5 2012. The charges against them included conducting research, political training, surveys and workshops without licenses, training political parties and groups, and managing unlicensed branches of NGOs.
CSW said many fled the country prior to being sentenced, although a few remained to continue their work, and were present for the sentencing.
CSW said 27 people received five year sentences in absentia. Five individuals, who had attended court, were sentenced to two years, and eleven others were given one year suspended sentences. The court also granted the option of paying 1,000 Egyptian Pounds (143.03 USD) to get a three year deduction in the five year sentences.
In addition to the individual sentences, the court moved to shut down fi ve NGOs and confiscated their funds and documentation.
The International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), US-based Freedom House (FH), and the German Konrad Adenauer Stiftung organization were all charged with "receiving illicit foreign funds and operating without a license."
CSW said the verdict of the Cairo Criminal Court has been condemned by human rights organizations and key international figures, including US Secretary of State John Kerry, and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.
CSW said the verdict is likely to further strain Egypt's relations with foreign donors and add to concerns regarding Egypt's new draft NGO laws. They have been widely condemned for giving the state excessive control over the activities of NGOs, as well as subjecting them to more stringent investigations and reporting of activities.
Mervyn Thomas, CSW's Chief Executive Officer said in the news release, "We are deeply concerned at these disproportionate sentences, which constitute a threat to civil society and coincide with the emergence of draft NGO laws that, if promulgated in their current form, will severely restrict freedom of association and freedom of expression at a time when democracy in Egypt is in a precarious state."
He added, "CSW calls for the urgent review of these sentences and of the draft NGO laws, and for the Egyptian authorities to ensure that prospective legislation and state practice advance the rule of law and line up with international human rights statutes to which Egypt is party."
Christian Solidarity Worldwide works for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.
For further information, visit www.csw.org.uk
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