Chill to Democracy in Egypt

The Egyptian parliament has given the regime sweeping powers to regulate nongovernmental organizations, a move bound to chill efforts to increase democracy in the pivotal Middle Eastern state.

Ratified by President Hosni Mubarak in late May, the law hands government officials the right to oversee and alter the administrative and financial activities of voluntary associations, most of which were established to give Egyptian citizens a fair share of economic and social opportunities. Nearly 14,000 of the so-called NGOs, including human rights groups, fall under the law, and all are now subject to dissolution. The government’s new whip hand forces the NGOs to seek prior approval from Cairo for foreign funding. In addition, the government can veto proposed directors and appoint others in their place.

NGOs are also active in protecting the environment, promoting literacy and establishing charities, an important aspect of the Muslim faith.

What drives Mubarak to take repressive action? Primarily a fear that his regime can be shaken from the grass roots, and particularly the potential involvement of radical Islamists. But Egypt already has no effective political parties, no independent trade unions and little press freedom. Even acknowledging the dangers of extremism, suppression of alternative voices cannot be part of a democratic society.

The U.S. State Department has expressed dismay with the new law: “This is the wrong direction to go if Egypt wants to energize civil society and promote development.” Mubarak must return to the path of moderation or risk deeper troubles.