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Cairo, 28/12/1999
Registration of the Center for Human Rights Legal Aid
(In accordance with Law 153 of the year 1999) The Center for Human Rights Legal Aid (CHARLA) announces its official registration as an association, in accordance with Law number 153 of 1999. We would like to emphasize our reservations on the many restrictions inherent in the new law. Our decision to register comes as an attempt to pursue human rights work and influence the policies and priorities affecting civil society in Egypt. We realize that some of our colleagues and friends have taken a different position in this matter, and have refused to register. We also realize the extent of difficulties and problems that lie ahead given the nature of our one party state system and the many local laws that are incompatible with basic principles of human rights. The new law is objectionable on many levels, not least in that it allows for state control over the general assemblies of associations, and in fact the penetration of those assemblies by outside organized groups or even government officials. In addition to this, there are the many administrative and political restrictions that we see as a clear attempt by the government to distance the Egyptian human rights movement from active campaigning and drown it in routine procedural work. Despite all this, it is our belief that the best way of confronting these problems is by ensuring the continuation of our civil society, for only through a coordinated movement will any progress be made in securing the human rights of our people, and ensuring them a life of dignity and freedom. |