Statement by NSC Spokesperson Ned Price on Deputy National Security Advisor Avril Haines' Meeting with Egyptian Civil Society Activists

Deputy National Security Advisor Avril Haines met yesterday at the White House with a small group of Egyptian civil society activists to hear from them about the human rights environment in Egypt. She expressed deep concern about the Egyptian government's crackdown on independent civil society activity, including continuing legal action against nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Ms. Haines reiterated the Administration's strong support for Egyptian NGOs and other civil society organizations, which are integral both to Egypt's political and economic development and to its long-term stability, and reiterated the Administration's view that the restrictions on the ability of these organizations to operate freely in Egypt should be removed.