Egypt - registration of CTUWS (25.06.08)

Registration of the Center for Trade Union and Workers Services (CTUWS)
Wednesday 25th June 2008

Putting into effect the judgment of the Administrative Judiciary Court in the lawsuit No. 38381/61, the Ministry of Social Solidarity issued its decision today to register our center as a non governmental services association under Number 7375. The decision is a step considered by several activists and observers a good initiative worthy of appreciation.
Throughout one full year the Center for Trade Union and Workers Services (CTUWS) witnessed a series of arbitrary procedures: its premises were closed and its activities were stopped. Moreover, the court issued a one-year imprisonment of its General Coordinator in a Publication Case. He had to be bailed by one thousand Egyptian pounds in order to stop enforcing the court sentence. The Court of Appeal ruled on 27/2/2008 to annul the imprisonment sentence.
At last the Administrative Judiciary Court issued on Sunday 30/3/2008 its fair sentence which the Ministry of Social Solidarity undertook to implement.
The CTUWS welcomes the decision of the Ministry of Social Solidarity which showed its keenness and obligation to put the court sentence into effect and took the initiative during last week to enter into open dialogue and constructive negotiations with the CTUWS which looks forward to the removal of all the arbitrary procedures taken against it last year and the elimination of all the subsequent effects of these measures. The CTUWS hopes as well to reopen all its premises and to resume its activities which were very well recognized throughout the last eighteen years.
The CTUWS expresses its deep appreciation and gratitude to all the human rights organizations, civil society organizations and defenders of democracy and of the right of expression in Egypt and abroad and to the international labour movements and trade union movements as well as to all its supporters in the People’s Assembly, the Shoura Council, political activists and journalists and all who supported it. Meanwhile, the CTUWS hopes that the decision of the Ministry of Social Solidarity and its positive approach become the rule and not the exception and hopes that its victory leads to the realization of more democratic victories.

The Center for Trade Union and Workers ServicesWednesday, 25th June 2008