For his part, the president insists he has invited opposition groups to enter into dialogue but that they have not co-operated. His supporters say that whatever the considerable problems Egypt is facing, Mohammed Morsi must see out his full term in office for the sake of stability.

Maqbool, Aleem.  News Analysis Sidebar to “Egypt Morsi: Mass political protests grip cities.”  BBC, June 30, 2013.

Those human rights organisations who have reported on the dark underbelly of the revolution, including torture, gang rapes and abuses by the Special Council of the Armed Forces, will be in a particularly difficult position. The committee will have absolute discretion to block access to foreign funding without a requirement to justify the decision. This gives the government arbitrary powers to extinguish projects with which it does not agree.

Allan, Charlotte.  “Morsi has betrayed the Egyptian revolution.”  New Statesman, June 29, 2013.

On June 4, an Egyptian criminal court sentenced 43 people to prison on charges of membership in illegal organizations.

Morayef, Heba. “Why Egypt’s New Law Regulating NGOs is Still Criminal.” Human Rights Watch, June 11, 2013.

So much for the Arab Spring. Egyptian activist and protestor Ahmen Douma was arrested last month for insulting Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, and was just handed a six month jail sentence for the offense.

Meacham, T. Chase.  “Ahmen Douma: Egyptian Activist Sentenced for Insulting President Morsi.”  Policymic, May 2013.

Go back to the beginning of this post:  ” . . . the President insists he has invited opposition groups to enter into dialogue . . . . ”

😉

Additional Reference

Cunningham, Erin.  “Mohamed Morsi vs. Egypt’s Press.”  Global Post, August 23, 2013.

Human Rights Watch.  “Egypt: New Draft Law an Assault on Independent Groups.” May 30, 2013.

Lynch, Sarah.  “One year after Morsi’s historic election, Egypt boils.”  USA Today, June 29, 2013.