Ben Cardin, the new top US senator on foreign relations, has blocked $235 million in military aid to Egypt over human rights concerns. Cardin, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Secretary of State Antony Blinken that his hold on funds will remain until specific human rights progress is made. He emphasized the importance of holding governments accountable for their human rights violations and would withhold assistance if Egypt does not take concrete steps to improve human rights conditions. Cardin called for more pardons for some of the estimated 60,000 political prisoners in Egypt, major reforms in pre-detention practices, and more space for the political opposition, civil society, and independent media.
The State Department approved $1.215 billion in military aid to Egypt for the coming year, its latest major package for Cairo despite Biden's calls to emphasize human rights. Cardin's action relates to $235 million that Congress linked to human rights. Blinken waived the consequent restrictions on aid, citing U.S. national security interests. The largest chunk of aid, $980 million, was not subject to restrictions and will go ahead. Egypt has seen a decade-long crackdown under President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, who announced he would seek a third elected term. A coalition of six rights groups said Egypt's "widespread and systematic" use of torture amounted to a crime against humanity.
