Parliament approves in principle NGO law

The House of Representatives under speaker Ali Abdel Aal approved - in principle - the draft law for regulating the work of NGOs and civil society organizations.

The bill has been submitted by head of the Social Solidarity, Family and Physically Challenged Individuals' Affairs Committee Abdel Hadi Qasabi and 203 lawmakers.

The parliament also agreed on eight articles which regulate the transition from the current law to the new one.

As per the new bill, all NGOs have to amend their rules and legalize their status in six months after the law becomes effective, otherwise, they will be dissolved.

Law No. 84 for the year 2002 on issuing the NGO law has been effective for more than 10 years, but it did not achieve freedom of work and development in the society or the required balance to safeguard national security and public order, Qasabi said. 

He added the bill did not allow NGOs to work or practice activities related to parties or syndicates or trade unions.

Speaker Abdel Aaal underlined Egypt is in dire need of issuing a law for NGOs, saying the constitution gives citizens the right to establish organizations.

During a session to discuss a draft law for regulating the work of NGOs and civil society organizations, Abdel Aal said article No. 101 of the constitution clearly stipulates the parliament, which was formed following free and transparent elections, has the authority of legislation.

There are parties that seek to make NGOs a means to destabilize the nation, but the proposed bill achieves the required balance between freedom of setting up the organizations and their roles, taking into consideration related regulations, according to the speaker.

Source: MENA