Since the Egyptian revolution in 2011, Egyptian civil society groups have struggled to make inroads in leading the country on the path of democracy. After the convictions of the 43 NGO workers in Egypt last June under Morsi, Rep. Connolly and I requested a GAO report seeking to assess the status of U.S. democracy and governance programs in Egypt. This hearing will look at the effect of the NGO trials on civil society in Egypt and it will give us an opportunity to hear directly from some of those NGO employees who were arrested and unjustly convicted.
We will also hear from our witnesses how this crackdown has impacted their lives, and what it means for the future of democracy in Egypt. As we examine our foreign policy objectives in Egypt, we cannot forget that one of our top priorities in the region is to help promote democracy, governance and the
rule of law to help these countries transform into burgeoning democracies.”
Bottom Line Upfront (BLUF): Members of the committee were unhappy with Egypt’s prosecutions of U.S. funded nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The committee’s main focus is pardonthe 43 NGOs charged with 1-5 years sentences.
The Hearing was structured into two phases:
- Panel I: Mr. Charles Michael Johnson, Jr. Director of International Security and Counterterrorism Issues at GAO.
- Panel II: Mr. Charles Dunne, Director of Middle East and North Africa Programs at Freedom House; Mr. Sam LaHood, Director of Indonesia and Cambodia Program at the International Republican Institute; Mr. Patrick Butler, Vice President of Programs at the International Center for Journalists; and Ms. Lila Jaafar, Senior Program Manager at the National Democratic Institute.
Panel I – BLUF: Committee members discussed the desire to maintain a positive relationship with Egypt, the need to examine the $1.3 Billion (the exact amount of aid was unclear as many members sited different values) in military aid provided to Egypt by the US, the intentions of Egypt’s new President Sisi in regards to pardoning the 43 NGOs, and Egypt’s outlook on civil rights and economic stability.
- Chairman Ros-Lehtinen – Egypt has no foundation for democracy. The 1979 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel is not a reason for the US to keep providing aid to Egypt. Egypt’s fight for civil society is nowhere near over. Easiest way for Sisi to prove his positive motives is to pardon the 43 convicted NGO workers.
- Congressman Deutch- Morsi’s time was a severe restriction of human rights. Persecution of NGOs is unacceptable. Partnership with Egypt leads to security of the U.S.
- Congressman Rohrabacher- We Request Egypt’s current government to go back to democracy by releasing the 43 NGOs and 6 Journalists.
- Congressman Ciciline- Egypt is an important ally to us.
Panel II – BLUF:The four speakers, all NGOs, spoke of their convictions in Egypt and the effects this had on their lives.
- Sam LaHood – June 4th I was convicted with 4 years with labor. The trial was bogus and politically motivated. Under Egyptian law I am a felon. Clearly I cannot travel to Egypt. I never faced the cage humiliation, others lost personal relationships and work opportunities.
- Patrick Butler – I and 42 other NGO were convicted with 1-5 years. Nothing has changed except our lives. Prevented from international travel, jobs, and loans. Fugitive of justice. Do all you can for our Egyptian colleagues brought out of Egypt and help them get green cards.
- Lila Jaafar – I and 14 more convicted on June 4, 2013. Reduce or eliminate foreign support until there is a favorable verdict. I was shocked and dismayed, after 7 years in Egypt. Egypt has a great hunger for democracy, especially the youth.
- Chairman Ros-Lehtinen – Have conditions worsened?
- Charles Dunne – yes, much worse.
- Chairman Ros-Lehtinen – Egypt obviously is a strategic country. I think we need to re-examine our relationship with Egypt. Should keep aid until we get you the pardon?
- Sam LaHood – I am very appreciative to the Obama administration. If it wasn’t for them I would be in jail right now (sentiment echoed by the other NGOs). A lot of people are working on our case, but who is in charge?
- Congressman Deutch – Do you feel the support for what you do? How do we ensure that these issues remain vital to us? Why should Human Rights matter in our approach to the world?
- Patrick Butler – Freedom of expression!
- Lila Jaafar – There won’t be long term stability without freedom for Egyptians to express themselves.
- Congressman Yoho – Egypt is moving from democracy to authoritarianism, right?
- Charles Dunne – What I see is journalists in prison.
- Congressman Yoho – Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness – do the Egyptian people comprehend this?
- Charles Dunne – Egyptians want security and economic success. I don’t think the US has caught up to Egypt’s reality.
- Congressman Ciciline – You are four American heroes. We are in a better world because of what you do.
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Marina Thomas is Coptic Solidarity Intern. For other details, see also this report:http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/egyptsource/hearing-reveals-us-state-department-has-not-adapted-to-new-egypt-realities