Development Support Center for Consultancy and Training (DSC) - Principles of an Independent Civil Society

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Principles of an Independent Civil Society

After the verdict of High Supreme Court came against the NGOs Law No. 153 for year 1999, which followed a “bad reputation law” No 32 for year 1964, Al Fustat Center along with the Development Support Center launched an initiative where a number of expertise, researchers and civil society activists were invited for several round tables discussions on the un-constitutional gaps of the law. The discussions aimed at trying to articulate principles of a democratic law that would guarantee the independence of civil work in society. Articulating such principles would, at the same time, direct the efforts of NGO activists in facing every law that might contradict with such principles.

These round table discussions widely focused on discussing the problems/ challenges facing civil society, including discussion of the law articles, the restrictions on public freedoms, the separation between the political sphere and the social one, as the political sphere is related more to the work of political parties while civil work, similar to charity work, is related to the social sphere. Moreover, the discussions dealt with the issue of foreign fund.

Participants in the discussions have articulated some criteria and suggestions to deal with such issues as well as tried to formulate some basic principles for the independence of civil work, that would direct the formulation of any new law in accordance with the Egyptian Constitution as well as the International Conventions. In addition, participants have tried to come up with some criteria that would help the monitoring of civil society over itself, through the collective effort of NGOs, political parties, media, and an independent judiciary system.

These discussions were mainly based on research papers that were presented in the round tables discussions, and have been collected in a book that carries the title of “Principles of an Independent Civil Society”. The book is divided into three chapters, the first is theoretical that deals with the practical experience with the NGO law, civil society problems, social movements and political parties, the political and social spheres. The second chapter document the conducted workshops on law, problems facing civil work, the political and the Social: private testimonies, and foreign fund. The third chapter includes annexes of the New NGO Law, the Supreme Court verdict, and the final statement of the Founding Conference of Civil Work Development Forum.