The Carter Center, a human rights group founded by former US president Jimmy Carter, has closed its office in Egypt. The office was opened in 2011 after the Arab Spring uprising. The Carter Center said it cannot conduct credible election observation due to “a crackdown on dissent and restrictions on democratic freedoms.” Citizens and organizations like the Carter Center face extreme limitations which “could be extremely difficult – and possibly dangerous” for those criticizing the regime.
“The current environment in Egypt is not conducive to genuine democratic and civic participation,” former president Carter said in the statement. It’s reported that at least 1,400 people have been killed in the crackdown targeting Morsi supporters, while “hundreds have been sentenced to death.”
