WATERLOO – Due to concerns about the Cairo register on human rights, especially the detention of political detainees, a leading democratic member of the US Senate blocked financing, costing Egypt an additional $ 75 million in military assistance.
Senator Patrick Leshi, head of the Senate’s allocations committee, rejected an evaluation offered by the US State Department to justify the assistance that was subject to conditions under a law passed by Congress last year.
Regarding expenditure laws, such as US aid to Egypt, the committee has judicial jurisdiction.
Lehi told Reuters in a statement that “we must take this law seriously because the circumstance of political prisoners in Egypt is deplorable.”
We are unable to modify the law because of other political factors. We all bear the responsibility for respecting the law and defending the rights of the fair trial of the accused, whether here or in Egypt.
According to the requirements stated by the Congress, Egypt must “make clear and ongoing progress” toward the release of political prisoners and provide the detainees with the legal processes they are entitled to.
Each year, the United States gives Egypt military aid of around $1.3 billion. Many of these grants come with no strings attached.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stopped 130 million dollars of military aid to Egypt in September due to widespread human rights concerns, but it said it would allow another $ 75 million, indicating the progress made by the Egyptian government regarding political deals and due legal measures, including the release of about 500 Political detainees this year.
why he opposed, though.
The talks between his office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs failed to solve the problem and ended the $ 75 million financing for September 30.
A request for feedback from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not receive a prompt response.
Promising human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, accused the government of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El -Sisi of committing widespread violations such as torture and the detention of tens of thousands of political prisoners.
Al-Sisi disputed that political prisoners are being held in Egypt.
Additionally, he stated that Egypt needs stability and security and that the government is working to strengthen rights by attempting to meet fundamental requirements like employment and housing.
Analysts said that the Western powers are refraining from taking serious measures against a strategic ally, in Egypt, working as a mediator in cases for a long time such as the Arab -Israeli conflict and also controls the Suez Canal, one of the most important shipping corridors in the world.
Americans and Egypt have a difficult relationship, according to US officials. The largest Arab country in terms of population is a vital ally and Washington is still committed to its support for what American officials describe as “legitimate defensive needs. “.
Cairo is denied military help by Washington because of worries about human rights
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