German think tank Friedrich Naumann Foundation pulling out of Egypt over 'restrictions'

AP , Thursday 21 Jan 2016

A well-known German think tank says it is moving its Mideast operations out of Egypt, saying that ever-stricter government restrictions have made it impossible to carry out its work.

Wolfgang Gerhardt, chairman of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, which has links to Germany's Free Democratic Party, told the dpa news agency Wednesday the he was moving the organization's operations to Amman, Jordan.

Gerhardt said "since today every political seminar, every conference that we organize with our Egyptian partners is misunderstood as a possible threat to the internal security of Egypt. We have no basis to operate."

Many international rights' groups and other NGOs have closed shop in Egypt following the  2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, citing growing government restrictions on their day to day operation. 

*The story was edited by Ahram Online. 

 

Short link:

 

Also In Politics

# Egypt launches 4th plan for combating irregular migration
# Egypt government to adjust plans for potential impacts of a long war in Lebanon: PM
# Egypt remains a pillar of stability in the region: PM Madbouly
# Mostaqbal Watan party retains dominance in Egypt parliament committees’ elections
# National Dialogue holds emergency session for supporting Egypt position amid regional escalations
# Egypt's National Dialogue convenes Monday to outline sessions on national security and foreign policy
# Egypt adopts balanced, objective approach without compromising security: El-Sisi
# National Dialogue praises El-Sisi, Public Prosecution for releasing 151 pretrial detainees
#