Front line is concerned following information received that the National Organisation for Human Rights in eastern Egypt (NOHROS) has been subjected to harassment and suspension of state financial support. NOHROS monitored the parliamentary and municipal elections in November 2005 and April 2008, reporting wide misconduct by the authorities.

Further Information

The organisation has also provided legal support for detainees and campaigned against pollution and poverty in Eastern Province, Egypt. Such campaigns have related to the rights to food, a clean environment and health, and have caused disagreement with local authorities which have accused NOHROS of damaging the reputation of the province.

State funding to NOHROS has reportedly been suspended by the Ministry of Social Solidarity following a disagreement between NOHROS and the Minister of Social Solidarity regarding the ownership of a project related to bread distribution to the poor. The project was called off by the Minister of Social Solidarity as a result of a legal complaint (case number 44/17) made by NOHROS on 7 August 2007. NOHROS now faces financial difficulty which could result at any time in the Ministry of Social Solidarity dissolving the organisation due to lack of funding.

Previously, the Chairperson of NOHROS was verbally harassed and threatened following a 2007 campaign led by the organisation against pharmacies promoting drugs to young people. On different occasions, groups of young people armed with iron chains were seen outside the NOHROS office. Many police complaints were filed in November 2007 and January 2008, but no serious action was taken. NOHROS was also subjected to harassment by state security and supporters of pro-government candidates following its monitoring of parliamentary and municipal elections in November 2005 and April 2008.

Front Line believes that the harassment and cut in funding suffered by NOHROS may be directly related to its peaceful and legitimate work in the defence of human rights.