WASHINGTON: Biden administration will stop $130 million in military aid Egypt To pressure his Arab ally to improve his human rights record, two sources familiar with the matter, including a US official, said.
Secretary of State Antony BlinkenThe move would be a break with his predecessors’ policy of overriding congressional control over military aid to Egypt. In the past, an exception was made to free up $300 million in foreign military funding. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisigovernment on the grounds that it is in the interest of US national security.
A portion of the funding, $130 million, will be withheld over human rights concerns but will be available in future financial years if Egypt improves its record, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Human rights groups, which called for the administration to withdraw the full amount, called the move a “betrayal” of its foreign policy and US commitments to putting human rights front and center, particularly with Egypt.
A joint statement from nearly two dozen rights groups said, “If the administration’s dedication to human rights had been honest, this decision would have been a simple one: military aid as conditioned by Congress to encourage al-Sisi to change course.” $300 million is withheld.” Including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
“Instead, the administration chose to ignore its commitment to human rights by avoiding legislative stipulations,” it added.
Sisi, who ousted the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013, has overseen strong crackdowns against dissent in recent years. He denies there are political prisoners in Egypt and says stability and security are paramount.
President Joe Biden has promised to put human rights at the center of its foreign policy and rights advocates are prompting Washington to be tough on Sissi, even if in April to help end hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants Relations with Egypt have improved after the Cairo mediation.
Criticism from rights groups over Biden’s commitment to promoting rights and freedoms around the world is not limited to Egypt.
He says his increased emphasis on the issue is an improvement on the position of his predecessor Donald Trump – who praised authoritarian leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin – after Biden has so far avoided influential action.
Sources said a formal announcement on Egypt’s decision could be made later this week.
A State Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. politician The action was reported late on Monday night.
Secretary of State Antony BlinkenThe move would be a break with his predecessors’ policy of overriding congressional control over military aid to Egypt. In the past, an exception was made to free up $300 million in foreign military funding. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisigovernment on the grounds that it is in the interest of US national security.
A portion of the funding, $130 million, will be withheld over human rights concerns but will be available in future financial years if Egypt improves its record, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Human rights groups, which called for the administration to withdraw the full amount, called the move a “betrayal” of its foreign policy and US commitments to putting human rights front and center, particularly with Egypt.
A joint statement from nearly two dozen rights groups said, “If the administration’s dedication to human rights had been honest, this decision would have been a simple one: military aid as conditioned by Congress to encourage al-Sisi to change course.” $300 million is withheld.” Including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
“Instead, the administration chose to ignore its commitment to human rights by avoiding legislative stipulations,” it added.
Sisi, who ousted the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013, has overseen strong crackdowns against dissent in recent years. He denies there are political prisoners in Egypt and says stability and security are paramount.
President Joe Biden has promised to put human rights at the center of its foreign policy and rights advocates are prompting Washington to be tough on Sissi, even if in April to help end hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants Relations with Egypt have improved after the Cairo mediation.
Criticism from rights groups over Biden’s commitment to promoting rights and freedoms around the world is not limited to Egypt.
He says his increased emphasis on the issue is an improvement on the position of his predecessor Donald Trump – who praised authoritarian leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin – after Biden has so far avoided influential action.
Sources said a formal announcement on Egypt’s decision could be made later this week.
A State Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. politician The action was reported late on Monday night.
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