(EOHR/IFEX) – The EOHR released the following statement on 2 July 1998, in response to a ruling of the Court of Cassation: **This press release provides information further to IFEX alert of 3 July 1998; for background information see IFEX alerts of 13 March and 25 February 1998; 7 June; 29, 24 and 9 May; […]
(EOHR/IFEX) – The EOHR released the following statement on 2 July 1998, in
response to a ruling of the Court of Cassation:
**This press release provides information further to IFEX alert of 3 July
1998; for background information see IFEX alerts of 13 March and 25 February
1998; 7 June; 29, 24 and 9 May; 30 January 1997; and 25 October 1995**
The EOHR was relieved to learn about the important ruling made by the Court
of Cassation on 2 July 1998, revoking previous rulings made against
journalists Magdi Ahmed Hussein and Mohammed Hilal by the North Cairo Court
of Appeals for Misdemeanors in lawsuits no. 6076 of 1996, and 10296 of 1996.
The Court of Cassation revoked the ruling in the first lawsuit and ordered a
retrial in the second. It also ordered that the second party, Alaa Al-Alfi,
son of the former Minister of the Interior, pay the legal costs. Upon this
ruling, Magdi Ahmed Hussein and Mohammed Hilal will be released after
spending about four months in prison.
On 24 February 1998, the North Cairo Court of Appeals for Misdemeanors
sentenced both Magdi Ahmed Hussein, editor-in-chief of “Al-Shaab” newspaper,
and Mohammed Hilal, journalist for the same paper, to one year in prison
with labor, and ordered that they pay the legal fees and a temporary civil
compensation of LE 501 (approximately US$150). Since then, the two
journalists have been in the Mazra’it Tora Prison.
The EOHR welcomes the ruling made by the Court of Cassation and believes it
to be a positive step toward freedom of opinion and expression. Meanwhile,
it calls on the Egyptian government to promptly release all other detained
journalists, and revise all freedom restricting laws related to publication
offences. This revision is essential for respect for freedom of opinion and
expression, which is basic for a democratic society, and for the commitment
to the international human rights instruments ratified by the Egyptian
government.
