Tell Egypt: Ensure Fair Trials for NGO Workers
In the midst of violent street protests in Egypt, Egypt's ruling military council has charged 43 non-governmental organization (NGO) workers, whom the council has accused of funding the protests.
The council raided the offices of several NGOs and banned a number of foreign staff--including nineteen Americans, five Serbs, two Germans, and three non-Egyptian Arab nationals--from leaving Egypt.
The actions of Egypt's military government is an attack on free speech and an attempt by the military council to silence its critics, and the sentencing for perceived protestors is often extreme.
Act now to call on the Egyptian government to ensure that all 43 NGO workers receive a fair trial, in line with international human rights standards.
We the undersigned call on you to ensure a fair trial for all 43 non-governmental organization workers accused of "setting up branches of international organizations in Egypt without a license from the Egyptian government" and of "receiving illegal foreign funding."
Non-governmental organizations are important avenues for free speech and independent voices, and any extreme punishments of NGO workers may be construed as an attempt to silence critics of the ruling military council.
We therefore urge you to respect the rights of non-governmental organizations and ensure that all NGO workers receive a fair trial. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
