On June 4, an Egyptian court convicted 43 non-governmental organization (NGO) workers of improperly using foreign funds. That same day, US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement expressing concern over the convictions, indicating that the trial was politically motivated and that the court’s “decision to close these organizations' offices and seize their assets contradicts the Government of Egypt's commitments to support the role of civil society.”
US government officials are not alone in expressing their concern. As a June 4 Wall Street Journal article reports, “NGO workers and their attorneys said they feared Tuesday’s ruling would lend support to the passage of a law now under consideration that would make it easier for the government to rein in human-rights groups, educational and pro-democracy organizations.”
The proposed law was submitted by newly elected Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, who has been criticized inside and outside Egypt for expanding government control. The Washington Post reported on the day of the NGO ruling, “Although Egypt’s judiciary is constitutionally separate from the Morsi-run executive branch, rights advocates say Tuesday’s verdict, coupled with the proposed law, will have a chilling effect on their
As the evolving situation in Egypt makes clear, non-profit organizations operating overseas are not always trusted by host-country authorities. The dramatic events also underscore the changeable nature of international laws and regulations. US-based non-profits with international activities, including higher
This post was written by John Bostwick, HSP Technical Writer, Higher Education and Non-Profits. To find out how High Street Partners can help your organization meet international non-profit expansion and development challenges, click here.