The Social Solidarity Ministry expect to send its final draft of the executive regulations for the NGOs Act to the Madbouly Cabinet before the end of October, Minister Ghada Wali said yesterday. The regs have been delayed to allow the committee drafting them time to address a number of issues with the law, which the Supreme Constitutional Court brought to light in a verdict in June that deemed the NGOs Act unconstitutional. The court had said that a clause of the NGOs Act granting the Social Solidarity minister jurisdiction to disband NGO boards was in direct opposition with the constitution. The NGOs Act — which gives the state the power to decide who can set up an NGO and for what purpose and sets restrictions on donations — was signed into law in last year and has since come under fire several times, including from Republican senators and the US Congress’ human rights commission.

Tags: