Egypt - dissolution of AHRLA (9.9.07)

Association for Human Rights Legal Aid

Press release
Cairo, September 9, 2007

Authority's dust infiltrates the Egyptian civil society's pores
The dissolution of the Association for Human Rights Legal Aid is a drop in the state's violations sea
Based on the government's decree of dissolution of "The Association for Human Rights Legal Aid"; the association's members and staff announce the birth of "The Human rights legal aid group".
As mentioned in the "governmental" Newspaper Al Akhbar, in its Friday the 7th of September issue; the governor of Cairo has issued a decree of dissolution of AHRLA. The article explains that the decree has been issued based on the absence of a permit from the minister of social solidarity allowing AHRLA to receive funding from international donor agencies, in addition to some other administrative offenses. Here disappears the old justification which was published in Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper in its August 30 issue regarding the misappropriation of funds.
AHRLA has issued a press release to respond to those allegations; where it indicates that the dissolution decision was made by the recommendations of the ministry of social solidarity. Also Egyptian civil society organizations have initiated issuing a collective statement in solidarity with AHRLA and held a press conference where these organizations explained the steps they will take in case the dissolution takes place.
We were anticipating the dissolution decree not just because of the governing state's corruption; but because AHRLA from its very first day did not submit itself to fear or settle for an elitist role which separates it from the streets. We were the first association to fill the streets in Cairo and Giza with anti torture posters. We were also the first association to publish the torture's victims live testimonies.
AHRLA staff and members declare that they will take all the necessary measures that will ensure the continuation of their efforts in providing legal aid to the victims of human rights violations, and will expose the violators. We will also help disseminate and promote the human rights culture in Egypt. We will appeal the governor of Cairo's decision to dissolute AHRLA before the Administrative Court, so as to counter the negative effects of this decision. We declare that we will not remain silent or refrain from prosecuting the corrupt dictators, even if we have to become like ghosts chasing them in their sleep. We will not remain silent; this strike increased our conviction of the importance of completing our mission in supporting victims of human rights violations in Egypt. The dissolution will consolidate the activists' work with the free citizens seeking to restore their rights.
The intent to exclude non-domesticated votes that show opposition and criticism of the policies behind the suffering of millions of citizens from their rights' violations is now clear.
Such a resolution comes in the context of the ferocious campaign led by the security agencies on the civil society's institutions; to control any signs of discontent and protest against the deterioration of the citizens' economic and social situation and the exacerbation the political climate. Here's the government involved in corruption policies and confused on which cards to play! These are good indicators, because security's foolishness always reflects the state's near fall due to corruption, which has become like cancer eating through our homeland. Here goes the oppressive government, showing its idiocy's sword. The sword of deceit against AHRLA, which helped increase the factors of solidarity among the different groups of the population. All the colors of the rainbow are now present to make a complete resistance against injustice, corruption and tyranny.
AHRLA was one of the first organizations, if not the first, to send its papers to the Ministry of Social Affairs (Social Solidarity now) in 1999, and here comes the dissolution decision! It is no surprise now to pass this decision after we exposed the state's crimes of violations of the citizens' rights, and of demanding the peoples' wasted rights. There is no difficulty in implementing the dissolution decision as long as we are on the right track and that we continue our struggle against tyranny and violations. From its founding moment, our association's activities have embraced various issues affecting the citizens, also our lawyers group has received thousands of complaints from citizens who had sought refuge in AHRLA to protect and recover their rights and help them face the tyranny of power.
We say to those who want to assassinate the spirit of hope in our hearts, and extinguish the flame of justice for the victims: we had a successful round, and now the false dawn of political reform has disappeared and we will continue our struggle against violations. We assure the victims of torture, that no restriction will deter us from completing what we began in our journey. We will strive to put any torturer or despotic or corrupt under the hands of justice. We will not be appalled by the dissolution decision; we will complete our work with victims of torture until the submission of torturers and those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice from the biggest head to the pettiest.
There is not even the slightest hope for political reform in a country where the increasing influence of the security services affects the carry out of Interior policy-making, and plays the key role in naming the sheikhs and mayors, and universities and colleges' assistants, deans and heads, and choose ministers and members of parliament and members of local government and intervenes in employees promotions and civil society organizations.......
AHRLA hereby confirms its integrity and transparency and demands the referral of its financial books to the Central Accounting Authorities, and demands for the decision to be examined before the Egyptian judiciary authorities, just so that we can clarify the circumstances which pushed the governor to issue such a decision. AHRLA reiterates that the arguments used to justify this decision are only pretexts and absurd justifications as the Association did not commit any violations necessitating its dissolution.
When will security forces stop flinging constant accusations to political opponents, independents, and those who refuse to walk into the swamp of corruption and despotism?. These accusations are now quite common, such as "Threatening General Peace" and "inciting hatred against the regime" and receiving foreign funds. Can you imagine that the average monthly expenditure of the association which has four offices and more than thirty employees, does not even match the monthly expenses of the governor's Office Buffet governor or that of the honourable Minister?
The members of the Association confirm their rejection of this resolution, and declare they will not hold back from resisting it using all peaceful and legitimate means.

The members of the Association for Human Rights Legal Aid
Cairo, September 9, 2007