House delegation in DC addresses human rights concerns: The parliamentary delegation visiting the US led by Speaker of the House of Representatives Ali Abdel Aal attempted to tell Egypt’s side of the new NGO law, according to Ahram Online. Speaking at a meeting hosted by the Middle East Institute, Abdel Aal sought to clarify that the NGO law was aimed at transparency when it comes to funding and not part of a crackdown as some view it. It is still widely believed in some circles in Washington that the US had suspended USD 290 mn in aid to Egypt ostensibly over human rights criticisms and specifically the NGO Law. He also addressed the Church’s Construction Act as an example of the protective measures being extended to the country’s minority. The US State Department had also levied criticisms on Egypt for the treatment of minorities.

This comes as President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met with a delegation from the Anglican Church in the US, according to an official statement. The president expressed his condolences for the events that took place in Manhattan and discussed ways of combating and eradicating terrorism. US Vice President Mike Pence is expected in Egypt in December to address the issue of Christian rights in the Middle East.

US Press Secretary stops short of addressing Egypt’s anti-LGBT bill: US Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said she would “have to look into” the specifics of Egypt’s proposed bill to criminalize homosexuality before condemning the measure, according to a press briefing transcript. “I’m not aware of the specifics … but we’ll certainly be happy to check into it,” Sanders said earlier this week. The bill would impose a 15-year prison sentence on those found guilty of homosexuality. This comes as Human Rights Watch praised South African diplomats at the Africa Group in the UN for stating that Egypt does not speak for them on the matter of rejecting testimony of LGBT rights experts.