#Egypt: Civil society leader Magdy Abdel Hamid banned from travelling @FrontLineHRD https://t.co/ivqsbPGZ5B pic.twitter.com/eGpxn6h13A
— Linda Hemby (@LindaHemby) October 6, 2017
On 2nd October 2017, Dr. Magdy Abdel Hamid Belal a prominent leader in Egyptian civil society was banned by authorities from traveling to a conference in Jordan. As chair of the Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement (EACPE), the activist has suffered repeated harassment from the authorities for his work. A well-respected Egyptian organisation, EACPE was founded in 2001 with the goal of promoting democratic development and improving the human rights situation in Egypt. It works toward these goals by raising awareness of political and human rights issues among the public as well as strengthening various organisations, networks and coalitions.
As covered on the CIVICUS Monitor, Egypt's infamous 173 or "foreign funding case" has become notorious for strangling Egyptian civil society groups and hindering them from receiving foreign funding. As previously reported, a number of high profile activists have suffered unwarranted investigations, harassment, detentions and prosecution as a result of receiving foreign funding for their work. As Dr. Magdy is one of those who has been directly affected by such draconian measures, the CIVICUS Monitor recently spoke to him to find out more about his recent travel ban as well as the current situation for human rights groups in Egypt.
*The interview below has been edited for length*