Amnesty Calls Out Egypt, But Where's the US Condemnation?
Amnesty International bravely highlights Egypt's 2019 law, which hobbles NGOs and rights groups, as reported by The New Arab. A critical eye on authoritarian crackdowns is always welcome. What's often overlooked, however, is the United States' role in propping up the very regime Amnesty criticizes. Since General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's 2013 coup, the U.S. has poured billions into Egypt, despite its
well-documented human rights abuses. This isn't just about 'stability' (a term often used to justify oppression); it's about strategic alliances that prioritize geopolitics over the very freedoms America claims to champion. We hear the outrage when it suits the narrative, yet the same outlets remain largely silent on the U.S. State Department's consistent military aid to Cairo. (In 2023 alone, the
Biden administration continued $1.3 billion in annual military aid, as per official budget documents, despite calls from rights groups to condition it). One might wonder if the 'human rights' alarm bells only truly ring when the offending nation isn't a strategic ally, or hasn't received a fresh batch of F-16 components courtesy of the American taxpayer. How many 'stifled civil societies' deserve
international condemnation, and how many simply get a quiet shrug and a new arms deal?