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Al-Ahram Weekly 11 - 17 May 2000 Issue No. 481 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 11 - 17 May 2000 Issue No. 481
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Books Features Interview Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Rights NGO wins legal status
By Dina EzzatThe signing of an agreement last week by the Arab Organisation for Human Rights (AOHR) and the Foreign Ministry, gives the regional organisation the green light to work in this country.
At a signing ceremony held on Saturday the AOHR was represented by its secretary-general, Mohamed Fayeq, while Samir Seif El-Yazal, First Under-Secretary at the Foreign Ministry signed on behalf of the government.
"This is a very positive move on part of the Egyptian government," commented Fayeq at the ceremony.
The 17-year-old group said in a statement that the agreement would protect its headquarters, assets and funds.
Accordingly, the AOHR may work on the local and international levels. The agreement also allows the AOHR to have official contact with the Egyptian government on human rights issues as well as permitting it to conduct research and organise events pertaining to its mandate.
"The signing of this agreement underlines Egypt's leading role and commitment to the principles of democracy, especially human rights, which have become such an important issue throughout the world," Seif El-Yazal said.
The agreement made the AOHR the first human rights NGO to be granted legal status since the passing last year of controversial Law 153 to regulate NGO activities.
Fayeq asserted that "this step will strengthen the regional and international role of the organisation in its promotion of human rights concepts in the Arab world. It will also allow for favourable representation of Arabs in international civil society."
The AOHR, established in 1983, has consultant status with the UN Economic and Social Council. It has observer status at the African Committee for Human and People's Rights -- a regional NGO.
Under the agreement, the Foreign Ministry has the right to nominate AOHR's secretary-general to represent Egyptian NGOs at regional and international human rights events sponsored by foreign governments.
But the AOHR -- although this is neither written nor said -- will have to take into account Egypt's political relations with the various Arab states. Its reports will have to be "careful" in criticising the human rights records of Arab governments that are "friendly" with Egypt.
"There is an unwritten understanding that while the government gives the AOHR this status and prestige, it should avoid causing Egypt political embarrassment," commented one source.
Asked about this, Fayeq said: "The AOHR issues an annual report and it will continue to be issued, but we have to give the Egyptian government due credit for this very positive move."
