By: Reuters –
The Biden administration has decided to withhold $130 million of foreign military aid to Egypt over its failure to fulfill human rights conditions, U.S. officials said on Wednesday, but allowed some funds to go through due to its determination that Cairo has made progress on political detentions.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has determined that Cairo, by releasing hundreds of jailed individuals, had made some progress on political detentions and due process, the officials said. Rights groups have pushed for withholding all of a $300 million portion of aid to Egypt placed under conditions by the U.S. Congress.
The rights groups cited widespread human rights abuses under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government including torture and enforced disappearances.
The aid that Blinken has decided to withhold accounts for 10% of the $1.3 billion allocated for Egypt annually. An official said State Department lawyers determined that 10% was the maximum that could be withheld this year.
Washington is allowing $75 million to be released to Egypt, citing progress related to political detentions and due process, including the release of about 500 political detainees this year.
Cairo will receive another $95 million under a statutory exception related to counterterrorism, border security and non-proliferation funding, State Department officials said.
“The approach taken here reflects the administration’s concerns about human rights and fundamental freedoms in Egypt, while also seeking to preserve the engagement and dialogue we have had over the last 20 months,” said one of the senior State Department officials briefing reporters.
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Photo: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a meeting with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry (not pictured), at the State Department in Washington, U.S., April 13, 2022. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS
By Reuters –
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a meeting with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry (not pictured), at the State Department in Washington, U.S., April 13, 2022. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS
WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) – The Biden administration has decided to withhold $130 million of foreign military aid to Egypt over its failure to fulfill human rights conditions, U.S. officials said on Wednesday, but allowed some funds to go through due to its determination that Cairo has made progress on political detentions.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has determined that Cairo, by releasing hundreds of jailed individuals, had made some progress on political detentions and due process, the officials said. Rights groups have pushed for withholding all of a $300 million portion of aid to Egypt placed under conditions by the U.S. Congress.
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The rights groups cited widespread human rights abuses under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government including torture and enforced disappearances.
The aid that Blinken has decided to withhold accounts for 10% of the $1.3 billion allocated for Egypt annually. An official said State Department lawyers determined that 10% was the maximum that could be withheld this year.
Washington is allowing $75 million to be released to Egypt, citing progress related to political detentions and due process, including the release of about 500 political detainees this year.
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Cairo will receive another $95 million under a statutory exception related to counterterrorism, border security and non-proliferation funding, State Department officials said.
“The approach taken here reflects the administration’s concerns about human rights and fundamental freedoms in Egypt, while also seeking to preserve the engagement and dialogue we have had over the last 20 months,” said one of the senior State Department officials briefing reporters.
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Photo: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a meeting with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry (not pictured), at the State Department in Washington, U.S., April 13, 2022. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS
