Egypt's parliament cancels NGO licences

Egypt has stopped licencing charities which are not affiliated with the government.

“NGOs can be a blessing or a curse,” Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal told MPs in a ‎plenary session on Monday.

“They can be a ‎blessing if their business is confined to raising the ‎awareness of citizens, spreading the culture of ‎democracy and contributing to development in ‎society. They can be ‎a curse if they move to spread chaos, disrupt‎ national security and serve personal ‎interests,” he added.

According to the new legislation, NGO licences will be withdrawn if organisations are seen to be threats to national security and public safety.

According to Abdel Aal, the parliament will discuss the two NGO drafts and the ‎government may ask for amendments to the bill.