Egypt blocks bank account of torture victims' centre

An Egyptian rights group that treats torture victims was prevented on Thursday from accessing its funds and told that its account had been blocked, its lawyer told Reuters.

Taher Abu al-Nasr, who represents the Nadeem Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture, said an employee was not allowed to cash a cheque for the center and was told by a bank manager that the central bank had ordered its account suspended until it registers as a non-governmental organisation with the social solidarity ministry.

Nadeem says it is registered as a clinic with the health ministry and does not need to register as an NGO.

“We couldn’t cash a cheque today. We don’t know exactly what happened; whether our assets are frozen or our account is shut down or what. We will try to obtain the written order on Sunday when banks reopen,” Abu al-Nasr said.

Egyptian authorities deny allegations by human rights groups and activists that security forces round up people and torture them in secret detention centres.

Amnesty International condemned the move against Nadeem, saying the NGO provides hundreds of torture victims with vital services including counselling and legal assistance.

“This is yet more evidence of the Egyptian authorities’ chilling contempt of perceived critics. By freezing Nadeem’s financial assets the authorities are preventing the Center from carrying out their crucial work to provide care to survivors of horrific violence,” said Philip Luther, Research and Advocacy Director at Amnesty for the Middle East and North Africa.

The government had already ordered the closure of the center in February without providing an official reason. Health ministry sources at the time said it committed unspecified violations.

The centre challenged the order in court and still operates.