One of Egypt's most prominent rights groups has announced that it will register under a restrictive law it and other organisations have decried as an attempt by the government to silence them.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, a leading group founded 12 years ago, said in a statement today its board of trustees voted to register. But the group said it will continue to fight the 2002 law which gives the state sweeping authority over their activities and financing.
The government had asked non-governmental organisations to submit to the law by November or face prosecution. The ultimatum passed without a crackdown, but government officials said it still stands.
Another prominent Egyptian rights group chose to move some of its activities outside of Egypt. Other foreign groups shut down altogether.
