Egyptian NGOs will hold a press conference, Monday 12pm at the Journalists’ Syndicate, to brief reporters and bloggers about the recent attack by the authorities against civil society activists, and the closure of the Center for Trade Union and Workers’ Services.
Press Conference
Tomorrow, Monday, 14th of May 2007
12.00 a.m. at Press Syndicate
Civil Society Campaign
In Defense of Freedom of Organization
In view of the recent attack on non governmental organizations and the statements of the Minister of Social Solidarity who admitted to the interference of security authorities in the internal affairs of NGOs and the subsequent harassment of NGOs in addition to the restrictions imposed on NGOs by administrative bodies, the last of which being the illegal closure of the offices of the center of trade union and workers services (CTUWS); and since this escalation of harassment of NGOs coincides with media coverage of the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s meeting with civil society organizations in a number of governorates to discuss amendments to law 84/2002, excluding an important sector of non governmental organizations, especially those concerned with human rights and the right of citizens to access basic services;
Therefore, Non governmental organizations decided to organize a press conference on Monday, the 14th of May 2007 at 12 a.m. at the press syndicate to announce its objection to the continued security and administrative interferences in its affairs and to call for democratic principles to govern any association law in Egypt.
Press Conference Agenda
– Statement of Civil Society campaign (Read by Nawla Darwiche, New Woman Research Institution).
– Summary of recent administrative and security harassments of NGOs (Read by Mr. Tarek Khater, Association for human rights legal aid)
– Intervention by member of CTUWS
– The legislative framework of civil society according to international standards (Mr. Abdallah Khalil, UN Consultant in international law)
– Announcement of plan of action of campaign.
For more information please contact 3464901