Egypt’s government was accused of severely restricting the work of environmental groups, leaving activists fearful of publicly scrutinising authorities ahead of the country hosting a crucial global climate summit.
New-York based group Human Rights Watch says Egyptian authorities have imposed arbitrary funding, research, and registration obstacles that have debilitated local environmental groups, forcing some activists into exile.
Richard Pearshouse, the environment director at HRW says these restrictions violate the rights to freedom of assembly and association and threaten Egypt’s ability to uphold its environmental and climate action commitments.