U.S. Withholds Millions In Egyptian Aid Over Human Rights Concerns

The U.S. has decided to withhold up to $290 million in aid for Egypt following concerns over the country’s recent missteps in human rights and democratic norms, specifically in regards to a new law that regulates the movements of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The decision comes after Egyptian officials reassured the U.S. earlier in the year that the law would not be passed. The law, which was ultimately passed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, carries a five-year jail sentence and goes into effect in May 2017.

The move has been seen by many as a sharp turn from President Donald Trump’s earlier remarks about Egypt during a White House meeting with Sisi when he stated that the U.S. government is “very much behind [him].” In separate remarks, both Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have stated that economic, strategic, and national interests would take priority over other issues.

However, U.S. officials have expressed their concern over Egypt’s  “lack of progress in key areas, including human rights and the new NGO law,” prompting a decision that conveys their stance yet retains Egypt as a strategic partner.

The decision would cut $65.7 million in the fiscal year 2017 Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds and $30 million in the fiscal year 2016 Economic Support Fund (ESF) funds, which would then be used for other purposes. An administration official told CNN that another $195 million in fiscal year 2016 FMF funds would be held conditionally upon U.S. officials observing “progress from Egypt on key priorities.” Under U.S. law, administrations are required to withhold or redistribute 15% of aid funds it gives Egypt each year if they cannot certify “that Cairo is making progress on advancing human rights and democracy,” Al Jazeera reported.

Egypt has criticized the move in a statement from its foreign ministry claiming that it reflects “poor judgement of the strategic relationship that ties the two countries over long decades.”

Egypt is a major recipient of U.S. aid, having received nearly $80 billion over the past 30 years, and is a key Middle Eastern ally for the U.S. both in the fight against ISIS and the current dispute between U.S. Gulf allies. Egypt also controls the Suez Canal, which is a vital throughway for the U.S.

The new law regulates NGOs by restricting them to roles within developmental and social work, barring them from other areas. While Egyptian legislators have said the law is needed to protect national security, activists and NGO members have claimed it is an attempt to control the Egyptian people and curtail their freedom. Egypt has long been accused of using violence and torture to curb dissent.

While this decision appears to be a step in the right direction, its effect on Egypt’s human rights record is being debated. Many analysts have said that the decision will have little effect. Issander El Amrani, head of the North Africa section at the International Crisis Group, told Al Jazeera that if the law is “intended as a signal to Sisi’s regime, it will have limited impact on [his] behaviour.”

Sarah Yerkes, from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, also said the decision is “far more symbolic than practical,” and “will not have a major impact on Egypt’s capabilities.”

Others, including James Gelvin, a professor of Middle Eastern history at the University of California, believes the decision has little to do with human rights, which is not a priority for the Trump administration, and that the money may eventually be given to Egypt whether their human rights record improves or not.

Whether or not the decision is a step towards establishing the importance of human rights, it is insufficient in getting Egypt to retract the NGO law or immediately improve their human rights record. Withholding aid money in a reserve account with the intention of eventually releasing it to Egypt also does not provide any incentive for change. Overall, while the decision itself is important, it is largely symbolic and it remains to be seen whether it will last or have any effect.

Ashika Manu

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