The decision taken today by an Egyptian Court to freeze the assets of a number of prominent Egyptian Human rights defenders will directly affect a wide range of civil society organisations operating in the field of human rights. These organisations play a key role in the democratic development of Egypt.

The increased pressure on independent Egyptian civil society, in particular human rights organisations and defenders, is not in line with Egypt's commitments to promote and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms as guaranteed by its Constitution and enshrined in the EU-Egypt Association Agreement, which is the basis for our partnership. Neither is it helpful for the stability, the security and the prosperity of Egypt that we all seek.

Therefore we call on the Egyptian authorities to allow the independent functioning of civil society organisations and human rights defenders as guaranteed by the Egyptian Constitution and in line with international human rights standards.