Concerned about rising censorship in Egypt, human rights organizations joined a manifesto to pressure the government to release journalists, bloggers and online content creators arrested for “expressing their opinions” in their social media posts.
The parties denounced that, despite the specifics of each case, the two criminal cases opened this year accused everyone investigated of the same crimes related to national security violations.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Egypt is one of the worst places in the world for journalistic activity. The country is ranked 168th out of 180 latest countries. press freedom index Prepared by NGO.
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Egypt censored media with arbitrary arrests
Seven human rights groups issued a joint note on Monday ( 1 Monday) denouncing the Egyptian government for arbitrary arrests of journalists and other media professionals.
According to the organizations, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi “made many promises to release and not send political prisoners and prisoners of conscience”, but the country still lives the scenario that “these violations were committed by the Egyptians.” authorities”.
This year, in two separate cases, journalists were accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “spreading fake news” on social media.
Human rights organizations point out that these accusations are “suspicious” because they do not state the violations:
“Such accusations are often used to retaliate against those who exercise their right to express an opinion, making criticism and analysis on public issues or current events.”
The groups also urge the government to adopt a “national dialogue” that “involves all critical views and includes a variety of oppositions representing a wide political spectrum”.
RSF estimates that at least 60,000 opponents of Sisi, including journalists, are behind bars.
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Journalists arrested after protests
In one of Egypt’s latest censorship cases, journalist and television host Hala Fahmy extended her prison sentence for another 15 days in July after being detained for two months for “spreading fake news” by criticizing the country’s economic situation.
He also took part in workers’ protests at the beginning of the year in front of the Radio and Television Syndicate in Cairo (Maspero) demanding better working conditions from the National Media Authority.
In the same case as Fahmy, journalist Safaa Al-Korbiji faced equal charges after sharing videos of the protests on social media. He was arrested in April.
Reporter Donia Samir was arrested in June for posting a video denouncing her harassment by the governor of South Sinai state.
The lawsuit against him also detained three other online content creators known as “Thorafaa El Ghalaba” (The Funny Poor). According to human rights organizations, the trio is already free.
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On May 15, security forces arrested journalist Mohamed Fawzy, who released a video criticizing Egyptian families’ Ramadan rituals and demanding the release of political prisoners.
After the content was posted on the Internet, it disappeared for two weeks until it was submitted by the authorities to the Supreme Ministry of Public Security. He was also accused of spreading fake news.
Content creator Shady Sharaf Al-Din was arrested in July after posting a video of him burning the Israeli flag on the street. There have been reports of other Egyptian citizens censored when they were detained and prosecuted by the authorities for posting on TikTok.
The complaints were compiled by the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, the Freedom of Thought and Expression Association, the Egyptian Human Rights Front, the Al Nadim Center, the Justice Committee, the Freedom Initiative, and the Egyptian Commission on Rights and Freedoms.
Combined group of defendants in cases no. 440 and 441 faced the same list of charges, although there were differences in their fields of study, conditions and timing of detention and investigation.#JournalismIsNotACrime
(2/3)https://t.co/6LX48WIhjI
— CIHRS (@CIHRS_Alerts) August 1, 2022
In the joint statement, they allege that all these lawsuits were filed against media and online content producers based on a “predetermined and repeated list of charges”:
“As a result, people spend years of their lives in prisons after unfair trials.
This is part of a broader campaign aimed at curbing all forms of expression, monitoring personal accounts and tightening control over traditional media and online media platforms, including by blocking or eliminating them.”
“We urge Egyptian authorities to stop using terrorism charges to prosecute those who hold views that differ from the government’s narrative.”
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has endorsed the appeal of human rights groups.
“These detentions are part of a pattern of arbitrary detentions of Egyptian journalists, activists, academics and critics,” said Anthony Bellanger, IJF Secretary General.
“Egyptian authorities have turned the country into the largest prison for journalists in the region. We urge you to stop attacking the press and immediately release all imprisoned journalists.”
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source: Noticias
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