Senators call for linking military aid to Egypt’s human rights record

WASHINGTON – A group of 11 U.S. senators and 23 human rights groups have called on the Biden administration to withhold military aid to Egypt.

They said the $320 million in military aid must be suspended because of Egypt’s poor human rights record.

The senators and human rights groups argue that Egypt has failed to investigate allegations of human rights abuses.

Led by Senator Chris Murphy, 10 Democrats, and independent Bernie Sanders sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

They stated that the Egyptian government is also complicit in continued extrajudicial killings, disappearances, torture, and restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.

They also point to the recent arrest of supporters and family members of a challenger who plans to run against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in next year’s presidential election.

The U.S. government ties most of its military aid to improving the human rights situation.

These include strengthening the rule of law and democratic institutions, protecting fundamental freedoms, holding security forces accountable for human rights abuses, and investigating and prosecuting cases of extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances.

The senators and human rights groups argue that the Egyptian government has not met these conditions.

They also point out that the Egyptian government has recently cracked down on the press, political opposition, and civil society.

The Biden Administration has said it is “deeply concerned” about the human rights situation in Egypt.

However, it has not yet announced whether it will withhold military aid.