The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) denounces the violence that took place following the football match in Port Said Stade of Al Ahly and Al Masry Sporting Clubs. 74 fans died and 200 were injured. What happened was a complete crime against Al Ahly Ultras that participated in the Egyptian revolution and supported the protesters during hard times including the “camel Combat”. There were not enough security troops or inspection procedures during the entrance to the Stade. Only a small gate was allocated for exit of Al Ahly Ultras. During the attack the fans rushed to the small door and many people died after they were stepped over.

EOHR emphasized that what happened represents a severe violation of human rights, especially the right to life. The security troops should have got ready after the clashes took place in Mahala during the football match of Ghazl Al Mahala and Al Ahly Clubs on December 31, 2011. Al Ahly players were protected by the armored vehicles during their return from Mahala. EOHR calls for taking the governor and the security leaders in Port Said to accountability for the security vacuum during the football match. Bullets were found in the dead bodies of some fans, which mean having a conspiring plan against the national stability already made before the match.

Mr. Hafez Abu Seada, the head of EOHR, stated that the inadequate security procedures are blamed over the commanders of the Egyptian Ministry of Interior. He called for immediate investigation on the violence incident and providing the public with the investigation outcomes. He also called for taking the suitable security procedures so as not to have such massacre in Egypt again in the future.

The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) calls the Supreme Council for Armed Forces to issue a decision for retrial of the accused persons in Taba bombings, which took place in Sinai in October 2004. 34 people died and 157 were injured in the incident. The State Security Prosecution Office referred 11 with terrorism and killing-on-purpose charges. On November 30, 2006 the court issued death sentences against Younis Mohamed Abu Garir, Ossama Mohamed Al Nakhlawi and Mohamed Gaiz Sabbah in addition to 15, 10 and 5-year-sentences for the others. The exceptional trial of the defendants included many violations such as absence of the suitable legal defense and fair trial standards. The accused persons came under torture in order to give confessions.

Mr. Hafez Abu Seada, the head of EOHR, stated that Mubarak era witnessed many exceptional trials that did not have any of the international standards of fair trial and human rights safeguards in the framework of the emergency law and status in Egypt, which lasted for 30 years ago.

On January 31, 2012, the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) submitted the draft law of the civil society organizations to the Egyptian government and the parliament instead of law no. 84, year 2002.

EOHR held an open discussion meeting for the Egyptian civil society organizations on January 19, 2012 in order to launch the “Free Civil Society” campaign, which aims at drafting a new code for NGOs instead of code no. 84, year 2002. The meeting, held at the headquarters of EOHR, was participated by political and human rights activists, representatives of civil society organizations and political parties and professors of law.

EOHR formed a legal committee included political and human rights activists, representatives of civil society organizations and political parties and professors of law; the committee studied the law drafted by the government and placed a new one adopts  the points of views of the civil society organizations. EOHR submitted the law to the civil society organizations to be signed. The draft law includes a number of important principals including:

First: freedom of forming NGOs:

- A new NGO can be established by informing the concerned body only and the establishment procedures will not obstacles on the way of registration.

- Establishment of a new NGO should be unconditional. The right of peaceful assembly is guaranteed according to articles no. 55 and 56 of the Egyptian constitution.

- NGOs should be able to implement economical, social, cultural, vocational and political activities. The new code should include complete definition for the prohibited political activities.

- The governmental authorities should not be allowed to search for documents without informing the NGOs’ staff members.

- The governmental authorities should not be allowed to control the NGOs general assembly or reject its decisions.

Second: dismantling NGOs:

- The governmental authorities should not be allowed to dismantle NGOs or freeze its activities; a decision must be made by court.

- The criminal code should not be applied on the civil society organizations.

- Forming a committee for solving disputes

Third: freedom of project financing and resource development:

- NGOs should have the free right to receive finances for its activities following informing the governmental authorities about the fund and the funded activities.

- NGOs’ donations and grants should be tax-free

- NGOs should be allowed to develop its funds and resources and accept donations from donating people or agencies, local or international and this kind of development could result revenues. The revenues can be used for implementing activities, but it is not allowed to be distributed among the NGOs’ members.

Fourth: freedom of expression:

- NGOs should be allowed to hold meetings in their headquarters or other outer places, based on the freedom of assembly

- NGOs should be allowed to issue publications

Fifth: joining local and international coalitions:

- NGOs should be allowed to form coalitions after informing the governmental authorities in addition to joining international coalitions.

- NGOs should be allowed to join the Egyptian General Federation of NGOs.

EOHR submitted the draft law of the civil society organizations to the Supreme Council for Armed Forces, the Egyptian government and the parliament in addition to the heads of the Egyptian political parties, in order to be discussed within a parliamentary session. The law will contribute cementing the principles of democracy and freedom after the Egyptian revolution.

Poor participation in Shura Council elections continued

On January 30, 2012, the electoral process of Shoura Council, phase 1, continued in 13 governorates. The governorates are Cairo, Alexandria, Menoufia, Gharbia, dakhlia, Damietta, Fayoum, Assuit, Kena, New Valley, Red Sea, North and South Sinai.

The polling stations witnessed poor participation of voters during the second day of the first phase in comparison with the People’s Assembly. Many political powers called for either cancellation of Shura Council or reactivation of its role in the political life. In spite of the poor participation, the witnesses of the Egyptian Coalition for Electoral Observation monitored and documented some electoral violations such as late opening of the polling stations, electoral campaigning, group transport, electoral problems and banning the civil society witnesses from entering the polling stations.

Electoral violations took place during the second day:

First: late opening:

The observers of the Egyptian coalition documented that the polling station no. 51 in Ali Ibn Abi Taleb School in South Sinai and the polling station no. 15 in Abu Zeniema Preparatory School opened at 8.30 am.

In North Sinai, the polling stations in Abu bakr Al Seddek and Al Gil Schools in Aresh opened at 9 am.

In Alexandria, Al Sadat Secondary School in karmouz and Tawfiq Al Hakim School in Moharam Bek opened at 9 am and Borg Al Arab Primary School opened at 10 am.

In Gharbia, the polling stations in Sagin, Meet Al Sheikh, Mahalat Mesero, Meet Hashim and Talima opened at 9.30.

In Assuit, the polling stations in Bakor, Al Nekhila, Al Kosia and Dirot opened late because of being distant and the hard weather.

In Dakhlia, the polling stations in Gamal Abdel Naser primary School opened at 9 am and the polling stations no. 1990 and 1991 in Al Balamon Village and the polling station no. 352 in Mahmoud Ghanim Primary School opened at 9.30 am.

Second: electoral campaigning:

In Assuit, Freedom and Justice Political Party distributed SMSs among the voters in which they said that “Shura Council is very important for the Egyptian constitution drafting”. An independent candidate was promoted in Bakor, Nekhila, Kosia and Dirot with amplifier.

In Cairo, campaigning materials were found in the Scientific Institute in Al malek Al Saleh for Freedom and Justice Political Party.

In Alexandria, the observers of the Egyptian coalition found campaigning materials at Sayeda Nafisa School in Montazah for Al Nor Political Party.

In kena, campaigning materials existed in the Development Foundation for Al Nor Political Party and one of the independent candidates.

In Gharbia, a private car was promoting one of the independent candidates around the polling stations in Safia Zaghloul, Taha Hussein and Abdel Hai Khalil Schools.

Third: group transport:

The microbus no. 3179 was transporting voters to Mahran Khalaf Preparatory School in Assuit to vote for one of the independent candidates.

In Alexandria, car no. 55591 was transporting people to vote for Al Nor Political Party in Al Ras Al Sawda School and car no. 1156 was transporting voters to vote for Freedom and Justice Political Party.

In Damietta, the car no. 2359 was transposing people to the Industrial School to vote for Al Nor Political Party.

Fourth: affecting voters:

Al Wafd, Al Nor and Al Wasat supporters were supporting people to vote for their candidates in Taha Hussein and Shahid Sayed Zakaria Schools in South Sinai.

The observers of the Egyptian coalition documented existence of many supporters promoting Freedom and Justice in Safia Zaghloul and Omar Zafan Schools in Mahala Kobra, Gharbia.

In Alexandria, the supporters of Al Nor Political Party were directing people to vote for their candidates in Mohamed Helmi Morad School in Montazah.

Fifth: banning observers of the NGOs:

The observers of the Egyptian coalition were banned from entering the polling stations no. 613, 614 and 615 in Moaz Al Kasabi School, Kafr Saad, Damietta.

Sixth: Electoral problems:

The the supervising judge and the officials did not unveil the faces of women in the polling station no. 1489 in Cleopatra Sporting School for Girls in Sidi Gaber, Alexandria.

Poor participation in Shura Council elections continued during the second day

On January 29, 2012, the electoral process of Shoura Council, phase 1, continued in 13 governorates. The governorates are Cairo, Alexandria, Menoufia, Gharbia, dakhlia, Damietta, Fayoum, Assuit, Kena, New Valley, Red Sea, North and South Sinai.

The polling stations witnessed poor participation of voters during the first day of the first phase in comparison with the People’s Assembly. In spite of the poor participation, the witnesses of the Egyptian Coalition for Electoral Observation monitored and documented some electoral violations such as late opening of the polling stations, electoral campaigning, group transport, electoral fraud and verbal clashes.

Electoral violations took place until 7 pm:

First: electoral campaigning:

In Gharbia, the supporters of Justice and Al Nor Political Parties were promoting their candidates in Hussein Hammad Institute in Kafr Al hamam, which leaded to verbal clashes between the two sides.

Freedom and Justice Political party was promoted in Ikhlas School Complex, Al Gala School and Khorshid Veterinary Unit in Alexandria in addition to campaining materials in Al Shahida Um Saber School in Moharam Bek for Freedom and Justice and Al Nor Political Parties in Alexandria too.

In Cairo, Al Nor Political Party and the Egyptian Bloc were promoted in Shahid Mohamed Farid Sarhan School.

In Damietta, Al Nor Political party was promited in Al Zarqa City in addition to promoting Freedom and Justice and Al Nor Political Parties in Kafr Al bateikh School.

In South Sinai, the observers of the Egyptian coalition documented electoral campaigning in Taha Hussein Primary School for Al Nor Political Party.

In North Sinai, campaigning materials existed in Abu Bakr Al Seddek School in Aresh for Freedom and Justice Political Party.

Second: electoral problems:

The observers of the Egyptian coalition documented non existence of phosphoric ink in the polling stations no. 600, 601, 602 and 603 in Zaim Sadat School in Mamora, Alexandria in addition to using plastic polling boxes instead of glass boxes.

In Gharbia, posters of Al Wafd Political Party existed in Shabsher Al hesa School in Tanta.

Third: campaigning in worshipping houses:

The observers of the Egyptian coalition documented the existence of supporters of Al Nor Political Parties, who were distributing campaigning materials, in front of Al Khazindara Mosque, constituency 1, North Cairo.

Fourth: affecting voters:

The observers of the Egyptian coalition documented existence of many supporters promoting Freedom and Justice and Al Nor Political Parties in Kafr Al Elo Area, constituency 2, Helwan, Cairo; they were distributing campaigning materials among the voters to gain their votes.

Poor participation in Shura Council elections

On January 29, 2012, the electoral process of Shoura Council, phase 1, started in 13 governorates. The governorates are Cairo, Alexandria, Menoufia, Gharbia, dakhlia, Damietta, Fayoum, Assuit, Kena, New Valley, Red Sea, North and South Sinai.

The first phase runs in 15 constituencies for independent candidate lists and the same for the proportional lists of the Egyptian political parties. About 25 millions are voting in this electoral phase through about 26.000 polling stations. The electoral process will be supervised by about 10722 judges.

The polling stations witnessed poor participation of voters during the first day of the first phase in comparison with the People’s Assembly. In spite of the poor participation, the witnesses of the Egyptian Coalition for Electoral Observation monitored and documented some electoral violations such as late opening of the polling stations, electoral campaigning, group transport, electoral fraud and verbal clashes.

Electoral violations took place until 3 pm:

First: late opening of polling station:

The coalition observers documented late opening of the polling stations in Awish Al Hagar Village and the polling stations no. 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430 and 431 in gamal Abdel Naser School in Abu Dawood, Tama Al Amded, Dakhlia.

In Damietta, the polling stations no. 799 and 800 in Al zarka Primary School, kafr Al Shinnawy Village and the polling stations no. 698, 699, 700, 701, 702 and 703 in Sheikh Atia and the polling stations no. 704, 705, 706 and 707 in Awadia thay opened at 10 am.

In Assuit, the polling stations no. 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816 and 817 in Al Nasr School in Kosia, opened at 9 am.

In Alexandria, the polling stations no. 2216, 2217 and 2218 in Gabal Al Zaiton Primary School, opened at 9 am.

In Kena, the polling stations in Obour School and Galagos Health Unit opened at 9 am.

In North Sinai, the polling stations in Al Gel Al Gaded School in Aresh and Raba School in Bear Al Abd opened at 9 am.

In Gharbia, the polling stations in taha Hussein and Safia Zaghloul Schools opened late.

Second: electoral campaigning:

In Gharbia, the supporters of Freedom and Justice and Al Nor Political Parties were promoting their candidates in Taha Hussein and Abdel Hai Khalil Schools. The polling stations in the Islamic Institute had veiled women promoting Al Nor Political party.

In North Sinai, Al Wafd, Freedom and Justice and Al Nor Political Parties were promoted in Abu bakr Al Seddek School.

The observers of the Egyptian coalition found campaigning materials inside Abdel Moniem Riad School for Freedom and Justice and Al Nor Political Parties.

In Alexandria, Freedom and Justice and Al Nor Political Parties were promoted in Port said and Al Ras Al sawda Schools in Montazah.

Third: electoral problems:

The voter lists did not have serial number in Fatima Al Zahra School in Alexandria and many mistakes existed in the voter lists in the polling station no. 914 in Meet Ghorab in Dakhlia. Phosphoric ink did not exist in the polling stations of Abu Bakr Al Seddek School in North Sinai.

Fourth: verbal clashes:

The observers of the Egyptian coalition documented verbal clashes at the polling stations in Sadfa and Al badary in Assuit, between the supporters of Al Nor Political party and independent candidates.

Fifth: banning civil society representatives:

The witnesses of the civil society organizations were banned from entering the polling stations in the Industrial School, Al Gala, Al Mali, Al Farouk Omar and Al Shair Al Asmar schools in Damietta.

Sixth: absence of juridical supervision:

The observers of the Egyptian coalition documented the existence of three pooling stations in one classroom in Abu Bakr Al Seddek School in North Sinai, Aresh. The same situation was found in Muharam Bek Secondary School in Alexandria and The faculty of Home Economics in Bulak Abu El Ela.

Seventh: group transport:

One of the independent candidates used the microbus no. 26493 to transport voters to vote for him in Mahran Khalaf School in Asuit.

Eighth: electoral fraud:

The revolving ballot was found in Abdel Maged Shalabi School in kafr Saad, Damietta. The ballot was used by the supporters of Freedom and Justice Political Party.

Ninth: affecting voters:

The observers of the Egyptian coalition documented existence of many supporters promoting Al Nor Political Party among voters in Sayed Abdel Rahim School in Tanta, Gharbia. The supporters were distributing publications of the party and guiding voters to the places and symbols of their candidates in the list.

The Egyptian organization for Human Rights (EOHR) expresses worry for arresting Syrian activists while protesting in front of the Syrian embassy in Cairo and calls for keeping them in Egypt.

Scores of Syrians and Egyptians launched a protest against the Syrian government policy against the Syrian activists. The protesters went from Tahrir Square to the headquarters of the Syrian Embassy; once they get inside the building, the police troops got them out, after destroying the main gate and the glass facades of the embassy. The troops used to shoot in the air to dismiss the protesters.

In this concern, EOHR warns against deport of the Syrian citizens, so as not to get murdered by the Syrian security troops and calls for keeping them in Egypt. Such decision does not comply with the spirit of the international standards of human rights.

In the framework on emphasizing the right to peaceful assembly, the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) announces forming an operation room and a network for legal support for the peaceful protesters celebrating one year after the revolution, on January 25, 2012. The operation room, located at EOHR office includes the lawyers of the Legal Support Unit in addition to lawyers located in the Egyptian governorates to receive the protesters’ complaints for any violations.

Many political groups and movements released invitations on the internet calling for a protest to memorize the Egyptian revolution and celebrate one year after the revolution on January 25, 2012. The political powers intend to stress on the non-achieved social, economical and political demands of the revolution as well as taking the protesters’ murderers to accountability.

On the other hand, the human rights’ violations continued, one year after the revolution; 13.000 civilians were referred to military courts with different charges during the last year. Many media specialist were referred to the prosecutor general office for investigation for charges related to the freedom of expression.

The representatives of the local and international civil society organizations refused the draft law submitted by the Egyptian government altogether, in the framework of the press conference entitled “Free Civil Society”, held on January 22, 2012, at the headquarters of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR). The draft law does not provide any freedom to the civil society organizations for doing their purposed tasks aimed at spreading the principals of human rights and democracy.

Mr. Hafez Abu Seada, the head of EOHR, stated that the civil society organizations are considered as a significant part of the Egyptian society. These organizations worked on cementing the principals of human rights and democracy for many years. The newly-formed parliament should support the “Free Civil Society” campaign. The civil society organizations suffered much under the law drafted in 1964.

Mohamed Anwar Al Sadat, the parliamentary member, head of Reform and Development Political Party, said that the law, drafted by the Egyptian government, is totally rejected. The government should set the civil society free if the comprehensive development is needed. NGOs should be given the right to draft their own law. Sadat added that the situation has changed and the role of the civil society organizations in development and human rights’ defense went more significant. The civil society organizations are issuing a new draft law contributes to deepening their participation in the political, social and economic development. Many concepts are in need to be changed in Egypt after the revolution.

Dr. Emad Gad, the expert of Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Study, parliamentary member, stressed on the important role of the civil society organizations in defending the human rights’ standards. All the Egyptian powers are supposed to support the NGOs to step over the defamation campaign they face these days. These NGOs supported all the oppressed political powers in Egypt for decades. NGOs should be enabled to participate effectively in the democratic transformation in Egypt. For too long, NGOs came under oppression and domination of Mubarak Regime that aimed at defamation of these NGOs and even the independent human rights and political activists.

Mr. Ahmed Fawzi, the secretary general of the Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement, stated that the Supreme Council for Armed Forces and the cabinet insist on drafting a new law for NGOs, although drafting new legislations is the mission and task of the parliament. The civil society organizations uncovered the violations of Mubarak Regime, especially cooking the parliamentary elections of 2010 for the National Democratic Party. The former NDP leaders and members are still placing obstacles and challenges on the way of the Egyptian and international civil society organizations. Not all the civil society organizations, located in Egypt are targeted by the dismantled NDP corruption member, but only the organizations that defend human rights and democracy, which exposed the illegal practices of Mubarak Regime.

The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) holds an open discussion meeting for the Egyptian civil society organizations on January 19, 2012 in order to launch the “Free Civil Society” campaign, which aims at drafting a new code for NGOs instead of code no. 84, year 2002. The meeting, held at the headquarters of EOHR, will be participated by political and human rights activists, representatives of civil society organizations and political parties and professors of law.

Mr. Hafez Abu Seada, the head of EOHR, stated that the open discussion is aimed at gathering and unifying the points of view and attitude towards an effective new code for the civil society organizations in Egypt, suitable for the democratic transformation era. The campaign is aimed at promoting the draft law locally to gain support and satisfaction of the majority of the Egyptian NGOs.

The attendees affirmed that the draft law prepared by the Egyptian government considered the civil society organizations as local units follows the Ministry of Social Affairs. They also stressed on the necessity of communication and coordination among all the coalitions of civil society organizations and the different political powers in order to adopt a unified vision toward drafting a new law for NGOs in order to be submitted to the new parliament. These coalitions also should keep on the “Free Civil Society” campaign, which aims at drafting a new code for NGOs instead of code no. 84, year 2002 that should aim also at spreading awareness of the NGOs roles’ significance among the wide range of people

The Egyptian civil society organizations hold a press conference on January 22, 2012, 12 pm, to discuss the positive and negative points of the draft law of civil society organizations, issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Social Affairs. The conference will be located at the headquarters of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR).

The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) held an open discussion meeting for the Egyptian civil society organizations on January 19, 2012 in order to launch the “Free Civil Society” campaign, which aims at drafting a new code for NGOs instead of code no. 84, year 2002. The meeting, held at the headquarters of EOHR, was participated by political and human rights activists, representatives of civil society organizations and political parties and professors of law.

Mr. Hafez Abu Seada, the head of EOHR, stated that local and international civil society organizations played such an important role in opening wide debates on many painful issues like torture, forcible disappearance and corruption in addition to social and economic rights. Such efforts were focused on enhancement of the poor people’s life. The debates covered the everyday life of those who life in slums and cemeteries. For this reason, the freedom of the local and international civil society organizations has to be guaranteed.