EU’s Financial Aid to Egypt: A Call for Human Rights Accountability

EU’s Financial Support to Egypt: A Call for Accountability

As European Union leaders prepare to extend an additional €7.4 billion in aid and loans to Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi, it is crucial to reflect on a pressing question: what do the owner of Egypt’s largest dairy and juice producer, the country’s former top auditor and anti-corruption advocate, and a group of peaceful protesters brandishing a sign that reads “You made us hungry, Sisi” have in common? The chilling answer is that all have been imprisoned simply for voicing dissent against the Egyptian government’s economic policies.

Currently, Egypt is grappling with a severe economic crisis, marking the third instance in the past 11 years where it seeks assistance from the international community. Despite receiving approximately €140 billion since 2013, the living conditions for the majority of Egyptians have continued to decline, necessitating further loans and bailouts to keep the nation afloat. Instead of witnessing positive change, Egyptians have observed the squandering of tens of billions on extravagant vanity projects.

The question looms: who holds the government accountable for these missteps? The harsh reality is that authorities have systematically and brutally repressed peaceful dissent, nearly eradicated independent media and civil society, stifled political opposition, enacted repressive legislation, imprisoned tens of thousands of those perceived as critics, and severely compromised the independence of both the judiciary and the legal profession.

Funding Pledge Rubberstamps ‘Golden Age’

This oppressive environment has contributed to the government’s failure to respect, protect, and fulfill the social and economic rights of its citizens. As millions confront increasing hunger and economic hardship, the options of protest or migration are stifled by an exceedingly repressive security apparatus.

In a Europe where recent elections have been overshadowed by concerns regarding migration, the situation in Egypt warrants significant attention. With a population exceeding 110 million, Egypt stands at the nexus of a highly unstable region, sharing borders with Libya, Sudan, Israel, and Palestine. Nonetheless, Egyptian authorities have consistently touted the country’s stability and its capability to manage irregular migration towards Europe.

In May 2024, when the Egyptian economy appeared on the brink of collapse, it was not surprising that the EU felt compelled to intervene. The recent announcement by President Ursula von der Leyen of €7.4 billion in EU loans and funding marks the beginning of a new “golden age” in relations between Egypt and the EU. The EU’s acknowledgment of the importance of human rights and the rule of law as foundational to economic prosperity is commendable. EU regulations stipulate that financial assistance to third countries is contingent upon “respect for human rights and effective democratic mechanisms … and rule of law.”

No Respect for Human Rights Without Pressure

However, in the case of Egypt, the council decision governing the financial aid has adopted more lenient requirements, merely stipulating that Egypt “demonstrates” that it “continues to make concrete and credible steps towards … effective democratic mechanisms, including rule of law … and guaranteeing respect for human rights.”

While the UN, various human rights organizations, and even the US government dispute the notion that Egypt has made any tangible or credible reforms, Amnesty International, alongside 15 prominent Egyptian and international human rights organizations, has urged the EU and its member states to ensure that the EU-Egypt deal aligns with EU law and contributes positively to addressing the root causes of economic instability.

• First, the memorandum of understanding governing the transfer of funds must outline a comprehensive roadmap for structural reforms, complete with clear, specific, and time-bound indicators, targets, and benchmarks for Egypt to fulfill its human rights obligations. Without genuine pressure, the Egyptian authorities will remain reluctant to implement any meaningful reforms.
• Second, EU leaders must insist that Egyptian authorities immediately and unconditionally release all individuals detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights. Until the government ceases its imprisonment of dissenters, it will persist in the same policies that have precipitated its ongoing economic crisis.
• Third, the EU must ensure that Egyptian authorities open up civic and political space by upholding the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, particularly in the lead-up to and aftermath of the 2025 parliamentary elections. Failure to address these issues will enable the government to continue implementing repressive laws and operate without oversight, leading to similarly devastating consequences.

Spending the Money in Line with EU Law

Finally, the European Parliament must play an active role, regardless of the political affiliations of its members. At the forefront, it must protect its oversight responsibilities. The European Council and Commission have opted to bypass parliamentary approval for €1 billion, citing “urgent” financial needs in Egypt under article 213 of the EU treaty, despite the fact that this deal was announced after the UAE pledged €30 billion to Egypt.

As the EU prepares to allocate billions to a neighboring country, members of parliament have a duty to their constituents to ensure that these funds are utilized in accordance with EU law. The EU possesses both the responsibility and the opportunity to guide Egypt towards a more positive trajectory. Should it fail to do so, we will find ourselves engaged in the same discussions, while Egyptians continue to bear the burden of suffering.

Hussein Baoumi is a Foreign Policy Advocate at Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office (EIO).
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