E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Filippo Monteforte / AFP - Getty Images
Egyptian soldiers stand guard outside the U.S.-based National Democratic Institute during a raid Thursday in Cairo.
UPDATED: 3 p.m. ET
CAIRO -- Egyptian security forces raided 17 offices of human rights and and non-governmental groups on Thursday in a move that has triggered widespread fear and condemnation among pro-democracy groups and activists.
Three American groups, Freedom House, the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, were among the organizations whose offices were raided.
The United States said the harassment should stop immediately and hinted it could review its $1.3 billion in military aid if the raids continue. "This action is inconsistent with the bilateral cooperation we have had over many years," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told a news briefing.
Police and military forces stormed the offices, confiscating computers, seizing papers and files, and taking down the names of Egyptians working for the organizations.
According to judicial sources, the raids were ordered by Egypt's general prosecutor's office and were carried out by inspectors from his office with the assistance of military forces and the police.
Judicial sources tell NBC News the raid was part of an ongoing investigation based on complaints that human rights organizations and prominent activists were receiving foreign funding without the appropriate permits and approval from the government, a crime under Egyptian law.
Mohammed Asad / AP
Egyptian military stand guard as officials raid a non-governmental group's office in Cairo on Thursday.
The Arab Network for Human Rights Information quickly denounced the raids, saying they were aimed at "terrorizing activists and organizations to stop their work in fighting against abuse and torture". The network added they and other non-governmental groups feared such a crackdown was imminent and had prepared for it.
"Even Mubarak's regime did not dare carry out such practices before the revolution," it added.
The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession said its office was one of the 17 raided, and that military forces confiscated documents and computers while preventing its staff from leaving during the raid.
Some rights groups have supported recent protests demanding that the army, in power since February when President Hosni Mubarak was ousted, hand power swiftly to elected civilians. The army has pledged to step aside by mid-2012.
Clashes between protesters and soldiers in Cairo earlier this month killed 17 people.
Two of the U.S. groups raided are loosely associated with the U.S. Democratic and Republican political parties. They say they take a neutral political stance, fostering democracy in Egypt by training members of nascent parties in democratic processes.
"The National Democratic Institute has been training new parties ... in how to participate in elections," a leading member of a liberal party told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "This has been with the full knowledge of authorities and was not clandestine."
The NDI issued a statement noting that some of the groups "are working on observation efforts for the country’s ongoing parliamentary elections. The third and final round for those polls is scheduled to begin on Tuesday."
“Cracking down on organizations whose sole purpose is to support the democratic process during Egypt’s historic transition sends a disturbing signal,” said NDI President Kenneth Wollack.
The International Republican Institute, in its own statement, noted that "it is ironic that even during the Mubarak era IRI was not subjected to such aggressive action."
Freedom House President David Kramer called the raids a sign the military "has no intention of permitting the establishment of genuine democracy and is attempting to scapegoat civil society for its own abysmal failure to manage Egypt’s transition effectively."
Reuters contributed to this report.
More from msnbc.com and NBC News:
Leave a Comment:
I for one prefer the Egyptian military versus the Muslim BroHood. If this is what it takes to prevent the takeover of another Muslim country by religious extremists, then I support it. We don't need another Iran, Gaza or Lebanon.
Yes Yonker, let's see one terrible dictatorship replaced by another. Thoughts like that are what make these people hate us and embrace extremist ideals. Yes, we don't need another Iran, but we do we really want another Mubarak?
I agree with your choice of military over muslim brotherhood. But you missed the point of the article, they did not raid muslim brotherhood offices they raided the activists calling for democratic reforms.
JB, the point of the article is that the Egyptian military is flexing its muscle by putting itself in a stronger position versus the reformers. Once the reformers have been marginalized, then the military will have much more leverage in dealing with the BroHood.
I am shocked that democracy hasn't just bloomed overnight...That this will end up being bloody civil war is a definite scenario..Just because the USA enjoys democracy (yes i know that we are a republic), does not mean that it is the right system for every country.
Yonker is right. There is a struggle between the MB and the Military. The young facebook generation removed Mubarak and opened the door for the MB. Only the military stands in the way and much of the military IS MB.
Mubarak was good for the West, but the people hated his politics. They also hated Sadat's. The people of Egypt are anti West, anti Israel, anti Infidel. Sadat and Mubarak were both Infidels.
Egypt-hates America so bad-they disiminate more anti America stuff than any other arab country.The 3 Billion we send them each year keep the country alive.
So even under Mubarak raids like this would not have occurred? So what they have now is even worse which should come as no surprise.
BTW, the protesters got ZIP out of all this chaos. The MB sat back along with Iran and let the secularists risk their lives and livelihood to see a green shoot of democracy with less emphasis on religion. The protesters won 10 percent of the vote which means they got trounced.
Egypt is taking a huge step backwards, but that is what the people want. When things get tough, most people revert to what they know if it is not a good choice. The people apparently believe according to those interviewed that the MB because of their strong religious ties, would never do anything corrupt like Mubarak and only look after the best interest of the people.
Oh boy.....
I trust you are being sarcastic.
"Even Mubarak's regime did not dare carry out such practices before the revolutionm"
But... but...
How can this be? President Obama supported this revolution. This can't be happening!
Almost everyone supported the revolution. Revolution is step 1 of hundreds. Step 2 and beyond often lead to something less than satisfactory. Does that mean Step 1 should never be taken? It may be worth debating. However, blaming Obama for another country going in an unfavorable direction is @ssinine. Blame the Egyptians who failed to accomplish a successful post-revolution resolution. Blame the Egyptian military's leaders who are yet another in a very long line of military regimes that have filled power voids post-revolution throughout human history. Blame the Egyptians who have taken this path. Unless you are suggesting the US invade and try yet again to force our system of governance on a Middle Eastern nation (because it worked so well when Bush tried it...!), then there is absolutely nothing to blame US leaders for. The only legitimate thing our leaders can do is react to the evolving situation -- they cannot change it. This is not up to us or Obama. Get a frickin' grip.
Saddened,
I have been here in Egypt for six years. I was very encouraged during the Jan 25 Revolution, having visited Tahrir Square and talking with the protestors. Unfortunately, they never followed through once Mubarak stepped down, and the military has managed to maintain it's stranglehold on the country ever since. He was never much more than a figurehead for the SCAF, in any case, and they are not about to allow "Democracy" do deprive them of the riches they enjoy under their own rule.
Democracy had died here, and I am looking forward to making my escape before it gets really ugly here.
In its infancy the United States used the military to quell uprisings and collect taxes (recall the Whiskey Rebellion of 1789 - 1794) under George Washington; that was later resolved, I believe by Thomas Jefferson. Life is always much more hazardous close to it's birthing.
Saddened is correct! We ALL knew this would be a rocky road from the beginning, but to blame Obama is completely rediculous. As I recall the Egyptian military wasn't supposed to hang on to power this long. The story isn't over yet and probably won't be for decades to come.
Where I blame Obama is that he quickly, in a public way, threw Mubarak under the bus even though the US had good relations with Mubarak as far as anybody could tell. We can argue the pros and cons of that regime, but Obama never gave any warning previously that Mubarak needed to go. When Iran had their burst of democracy, Obama never immediately called for a regime change even though the protesters were suggesting that was their goal. I mean Obama, or a I should say the US, has complained bitterly about Iran and their regime for a long time, and so if Obama had called for a new regime that would not have been a sudden and abrupt decision.
It looks bad. Think of all the leaders he supposedly has good relationships with, or at least passable, and then when it looks politically convenient he kicks them under the bus. I sure wouldn't trust him if I was a world leader.
Mubarak was a traitor who was bought off by the US for the Israelis. You are in the US- a country that routinely buys off foreign leaders to do a certain type bidding that serves your elite and not the citizens of home country.
Hillary and half&half strike again. Egypt and Libya are test cases for their American plan.
If Obama is a half and half, what is the drug addict brain damaged Bush?
1/2 and 1/2 is as close to a pure racist slur as I have seen on the Vine in quite a while.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
So much for freedom of speech and democacy in Egypt.
BTW it is happening here in the U.S.A. the FDA has been raiding stores that sell food suppliments and raw milk. Taking their products and computers without warrents. Check it out.
http://www.healingtalks.com/health/social-media-revolt-against-government-raids-on-raw-milk/
The military runs and owns the country. Next will come martial law!!
Sounds almost as bad as Sharia law.
Welcome to the "Arab Winter." Freedom-GONE! Democracy-GONE! Help-GONE! Violence and Chaos-HERE TO STAY! Remember the infamous words of Hussein O-Bungle, "Mubarek must go." His Muslim Brotherhood is now in Charge. Another success story for the "Incompetent One."
at least they recognize the danger of letting republicans and democrats setting up roots in their country
Really like that post...
been there, funny comment...now if it was so painful to watch Egypt fall into a more repressive dictatorship....
When are we going to learn we do not run the world and we do not tell other Countries what to do. In their Country you do what they tell you, you do not have civil rights that is for US citizens only in the US. These groups that think they can go in to other Countries and start saying everybody has this right and this freedom or that freedom and we are going to set up an office and if you touch us we are going to the Great press and it will make it in the news so watch out, do you really think they care if Obama or Clinton shakes their fingure at them and says bad bad people. Do you think we are going to send in the Military to save them. Please let them go OH Pretty Please! You have NO protection from the American Goverment unless you can make it to american soil! If they think you are going to start trouble with their people they will do what ever they what to do to you to stop you! That include killing you!
no bubba we exten those rights to foriegn nationals now or hadnt you heard
Who is baiting who? I've seen this one two many times, were dealing with a guy who's only way to hold power is to convince his people that their starvation is necessary in order to protect thier way of life from the evil west and Israel. We turn up the heat (sanctions) and hope to bait them into a mistake. For the "posters" that believe that we would turn Iran into a skating rink or that our tanks would make it to the capitol in two weeks like Iraq, think again. Iraq's military had been decimated four years earlier, and they still put up a fight. Iran on the other hand has done nothing but build theirs and with our "lack of intelligence" and considering their alleys, especially China and Russia, and their constant perceived threat from Israel, I would say that their coastal and missile defence systems are probably not to shabby. I hope Ron Paul can get into the spotlight sooner rather than later, or somebody has the balls not to buy into another pre-emptive war. Iran will not hesitate to strike at anyone they can just to expand the conflict. We eliminated the biggest threat to Iran, when we destroyed the Iraq army. Their population is conflicted, but giving them a reason, like attacking them or destroying their cultural centers, this educated population would certainly turn and support their government and way of life.
Why should the U.S. wait to stop supplying military aid to Egypt? The aid should stop now until Egyptian forces stopping raiding the people of Egypts homes.
Egypt is slowly becoming like Iran, Syria and China, Communistic.
Egypt should be ashammed of itself for evoking violations of rights seeing how the base of Democracy comes from Egypt.
It is NATO that is giving them aid.
Oh c'mon now, the Egyptian army has tasted power, and control. You didn't really think they were going to give it up did you? Their message: Take your democracy and shove it, we're in charge now. NOW do you know why they were so helpful in getting rid of Mubarek?
Hellooooooooww??????
"Egypt is slowly becoming like Iran, Syria and China, Communistic:"
I don’t see any communist influence in these actions. The actions are meant to preserve the power in the Army. Egypt was a military dictatorship; it will remain a military dictatorship. The so called spring has failed.
Other than some half ass support for the “revolution” the USA had no part in Egypt so take your blame elsewhere. We act and people condemn us and say we should mind our own business; we don’t act and people condemn us and tell us we are supporting X because of our inaction. Well bugger off the lot of you, we can’t make you happy so why bother trying.
Here is my new stance in Egypt and the rest of the Middle East for that matter. Don’t come crying at my damn door for help. Go figure this @!$%# out for yourself!
Some people just use "communistic" as a derogatory for anything they don't like. They probably couldn't even define the term.
I'm surprised it took them so long.
New dictatorship same as the old dictatorship. Maybe they should have been more specific.
That's bad at all levels when pro-democratic organizations are squelched.
Hopefully we don't see an association of criminal extremists, the fascist Muslims, take over Iraq, Egypt with Iran( already there) to start us a WW3.
It's a shame to see this happen again and again. But this is exactly how Texas wants to treat it's schools -- march in the state militia with the guns and burn any material that didn't come from Texas.
Oh, wait -- Rick Perry wants to do the same thing in VA. Your laws don't agree with him, so now he wants to slash and burn the VA state laws, too.
Ridiculous post. How about citing a source other than your inane fantasies?
Desertbro, who stated that they wanted to burn any material not from Texas? What was their name? When did they say it? Where was it said? Think lib , think..I know asking for facts isn't fair.
"Egyptian forces raid activists' offices", HA American style democracy at work.
In its infancy the United States used the military to quell uprisings and collect taxes (recall the Whiskey Rebellion of 1789 - 1794) under George Washington, that was later resolved.
During it's midlife crises (so far) the Military was used to stop Southern Secession and to quell the draft riots in NYC. These were later (and bloodily) resolved.
The point I'm making is that even (so-called) polished democracies have used the military to get where they (we) are today. Egypt has always known change through violence, give them time and let's see if they come around. Face it, they'll have more help (if they want it) than we did.
George used the Militia there was no National Military at that time. Also it is against the Constitution to use the Military against U.S. Citizens within the borders of the U.S. without declaring Martial Law .
Now maybe. Read closely, I said Military NOT National Military.
For the Record: "The Congress of the Confederation officially created the United States Army on 3 June 1784": (Excerpted from Wikipedia entry titled United States Army)
jonjojon
Wiki is info posted by anyone. Its accuracy is always in question. To sight that a s a source is ridiculous.
"It is ironic that even during the Mubarak era IRI was not subjected to such aggressive action" … That's because there's a new dictator in town, Allah, and his Salafist and Muslim Brotherhood earthly representatives.
With Allah in power, who needs meddlesome foreigners; Allah knows all and sees all, who better to root out "abuse and torture" (like Christians celebrating Christmas in a church) than Allah? For 4000 years the people of Egypt have been subject to the "abuse and torture" of having those hideous pyramids as an eyesore on Gaza. Now, with the MB and Salafis in power, soon they'll be covered in wax so they may no longer offend the most pious. And Christian programming on television (as well as Christianity itself within Egypt and eventually the rest of the world) will soon come to an end also, such is the righteousness of Allah and his fierce ally Barack Hussein Obama who made Allah's victory in the Middle East possible.
All praise to Allah and his obedient slave Barack Hussein Obama for bringing this world ever closer to Allah's command that all peoples worship and obey only him (or rather his zakat collecting cadre of criminal Islamists).
That's because there's a new dictator in town, Allah, and his Salafist and Muslim Brotherhood earthly representatives.
Reading comprehension fail.
When reading anything written by any MSM source about anything concerning Islam one has to learn to read between the lines. Were any Salafist or Muslim Brotherhood activists' offices raided ... no. Could Salafist and MB activists be getting funds from foreigners ... yes:
So why no raid on Salafis offices? And the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (i.e. The Perfect Slavery to Allah and Sharia Law Party), supports the army's crackdown on these NGO's despite their courting of Senator John Kerry who's calling for the United States to fund the MB's takeover of Egypt.
John Kerry is a flip flop SOB.He is a piece of @!$%#,two face lieing assinine prick.He has been so bad for America,done allot of things that has hurt this country and cost this country allot of money.Getting him out of congress would be the best thing for America-you can not trust this so called man,he as bad as Obaama getting this country deeper in debt.
BTW, the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession isn't an Islamist party (probably included by the MSM in this story because they have the word "Arab" in their title and they need that detail to obsfucate the truth: This is a crackdown on any group who may oppose the rise of Islamism in Egypt), they actually are looking for the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession, the rule of law (law as we understand it, not sharia barbarism), and the respect for human rights (human rights as we know them, not sharia bigotry) and basic freedoms in Egypt and Arab countries. In effect they are anti-Muslim Briotherhood, anti-Salafism and anti-sharia law, which is anti-human rights, anti-basic freedoms and requires totalitarian slavery to Allah and his criminal zakat collectors.
So they traded in one authoritarian for a military authoritarian, great.
New World Order. Coming to America in 2012
So where is Brian Williams with all of his "warm" feelings for the birth of democracy in Egypt and the Arab spring? Bad day for the Polyanna's of the world.
Ditto here, so why is this news? Oops, I forgot, when the government does it here is O.K., but when others do it is, either a war crime, a crime against humanity or "rogue" nations trying to kill dissent. How nice that the Nazis couldn't invent this new way to having the cake and eating too, but America not only did it , but it gets away with all its crimes. Hip, hip, hooray!
Always the same. You get rid of ONE dicatator, another one takes their place.
Always the same; You get rid of One Politician and another one takes its place.
And this is how it is fated to be UNTIL We Americans decide to use some of our brainpower and stop believing that these Turkeys we elect will seldom tell what they CAN do as opposed to what they WANT to do (which is sometimes little without co-operation from others in government).
Study their records and observe their personalities and demeanors before you vote for or against.
And what have you done to change things?
If that is a trolling reference to my entry, Erstwhile Minor. I did my time in the trenches in the 70's and early 80's and am still actively working toward a more fair balance in the Federal Elections System.
I suggest you stop taking one of several statements from a COMPLETE post and read the whole reference.