In the midst of violent street protests in Egypt, Egypt's ruling military council has charged 43 non-governmental organization (NGO) workers, whom the council has accused of funding the protests.

The council raided the offices of several NGOs and banned a number of foreign staff--including nineteen Americans, five Serbs, two Germans, and three non-Egyptian Arab nationals--from leaving Egypt.

The actions of Egypt's military government is an attack on free speech and an attempt by the military council to silence its critics, and the sentencing for perceived protestors is often extreme.

Act now to call on the Egyptian government to ensure that all 43 NGO workers are released immediately and not forced to go through a sham trial. Immediate release is in line with international human rights standards.