Rights group decries Egypt’s decision to close torture-victim organization

The Egyptian government has decided to close the Association for Human Rights Legal Aid (AHRLA), a leading rights group that works to assist victims of torture, according to AHN.

Abdal Azzem Wazeer on September 4 handed down the decision, citing article 17 of Egyptian law, which, according to the article, “bans nongovernmental organizations from receiving foreign money without prior governmental permission.”

Human Rights Watch condemned the decision on Monday, calling it “outrageous.”

“Although Egypt is a member of the UN Human Rights Council, it is preventing its citizens from maintaining an association that combats human rights violations,” Joe Stork, deputy director of HRW’s Middle East division, said in a press statement.

According to the article, “AHRLA is appealing the decision before a Cairo Court and has a hearing scheduled for October 21.”

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