Egypt’s Justice Ministry keen to support speed implementation of decisions in foreign funding case

CAIRO - 23 August 2023: Assistant Minister of Justice for Media Affairs Mahmoud el-Sherif Affairs stated Wednesday that the ministry is keen to provide all means of support and assistance to implement decisions taken by investigating judge in the foreign funding lawsuit. 

 

Counselor Mahmoud el-Sherif said that the ministry aims that the investigations be completed in accordance with the law, adding that the government has instructed that all necessary efforts be exerted to expedite the implementation of the decisions issued in this case. 

 

Egypt’s Justice Ministry announced that the judges commission - delegated by the Court of Appeals - is about to finalize the case of foreign funding of civil society organizations, which includes 85 organizations.

 

In a statement Tuesday, the ministry said that investigations have concluded for 75 organizations, with orders of non-prosecution (dismissal orders) issued for them.

As for the remaining organizations, investigations into some of them are almost complete, while the rest are still being investigated, added the statement.

 

Earlier in August, Human rights lawyer Najad al-Borai, expected case number 173 of 2014 related to NGOs, in which 43 Egyptian and foreign organizations were being accused, to be completely closed by next September, in conjunction with the next National Dialogue sessions in regard with human rights.

 

The case opened in 2011 when the cabinet ordered the Minister of Justice to set up a fact-finding committee to look into foreign funding received by the civil society groups in Egypt. The committee finished its report in September 2011, which included the lists of independent human rights organizations in Egypt as well as international NGOs.

 

The case was originally opened against 43 defendants, including 14 Egyptians and 29 American, European and Arab defendants who are charged of taking $60 million foreign funds of human rights organizations and NGOs working in Egypt without license to use it in banned activities and in violation of the states’ policy.