Human rights led the conversation on Egypt in the foreign press over the weekend, with Human Rights Watch issuing several statements. The organization denounced what it said were reprisals against actors Khaled Abol Naga and Amr Waked after the two spoke critically of the Egyptian government and claimed that five Egyptian nationals have disappeared after being deported to Egypt. HRW Washington Director Sarah Margon also penned a piece in New York Daily News urging Americans to pressure US President Donald Trump to bring up rights concerns with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi during his visit to Washington this week.

Reuters also put out a special investigative report alledging that some alleged terrorists killed by security forces in shootouts had actually been in custody at the time of their deaths.

The Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund (EAEF) is an example of successful US foreign policy, particularly considering the uncertainty with which some Egyptian citizens view diplomatic ties with Washington, David Ignatius writes for the Washington Post. “U.S. foreign policy often focuses on giving countries political advice — which in Egypt and many other countries has created a backlash of popular resentment. The Enterprise Fund idea is instead to give them capital to start new businesses. The balance sheet presented by Enan suggests this is one U.S. strategy that actually works,” Ignatius says.

Also worth a quick read this morning:

• Oil and gas: Petroleum Minister Tarek El Molla has called increasing foreign investment in Egypt’s hydrocarbons a “certificate of success” in an interview with CNBC.
• Egypt’s floral industry has the potential to blossom, but needs support: Despite annually hosting the largest flower exhibition in the Middle East, a lack of government policy support could be hindering the industry, Al-Monitor writes.