Sisi's visit to Washington provokes human rights criticism and anger at Congress

CAIRO - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's visit to the United States has drawn many criticisms in the US Congress and human rights groups that he should not be given a green light to pass the constitutional amendments, which she said were "consecrated to tyranny."

Democratic Congressman Jim McGovern said the Magnetsky law should be used to punish those involved in human rights abuses in Egypt. The administration of President Donald Trump is sending contradictory messages about human rights when it comes to Venezuela and Iran versus Egypt.

For his part, Democratic Congressman Tom Malinowski said that whatever is said in the White House today, President Trump does not speak on behalf of Congress about what is happening in Egypt, and the welcome of the White House to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as the Algerians overthrew President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the outbreak of demonstrations in Sudan shows the shortsightedness of the current US administration.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen called for the case of 20 Americans detained in Egypt during the Trump meeting of the Sisi, saying that Egypt's military support should be restricted. "We are working in Congress to set conditions so that Egypt is committed to basic human rights."

While protesters staged a stand in front of the White House to protest Trump's reception of the Sisi, a senior administration official said a joint press conference was not expected after the meeting.

A US administration official said talks between the two presidents would focus on combating terrorism and the economy, as well as the Christian minority in Egypt.

He added that the US policy is still focused on the slogan "America first" and that Washington's own interests will be of the utmost importance in the relationship.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch called on Congress on Tuesday not to give Sisi a "green light" for constitutional amendments that "will give the military arbitrary powers and sanctify tyranny."

The New York-based organization said in a statement that Sissi's visit to the White House on Tuesday "comes at a time when his government is stifling the opposition ahead of the referendum on constitutional amendments, which would perpetuate repression."

Trump "repeatedly refrained from addressing human rights problems in Egypt and instead praised Sisi for his" outstanding work "in the fight against terrorism, and called on members of Congress to make clear that" continued repression and abuse in Egypt will face serious restrictions on military assistance and link them to reforms Substantive and human rights improvements ".