I received the following statement from Human Rights Watch:
The Egyptian government should immediately reverse its order to close the headquarters and two branch offices of the Center for Trade Union and Workers’ Services (CTUWS), Human Rights Watch said today.
Security officers on Wednesday closed the headquarters of the CTUWS, which offers legal aid to Egyptian factory workers, educates them as to their rights, and reports on labor-rights issues in the country. Police had closed two of the group’s branch offices in recent weeks. The Ministry of Social Solidarity has blamed the CTUWS for inciting labor unrest around the country.
“The government decision to shut down the Center for Trade Union and Workers’ Services is a serious blow to Egyptian civil society and workers’ rights,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “The Egyptian government should address the causes of widespread labor unrest instead of going after workers’ rights groups.”