(EOHR/IFEX) – The following is a 15 February 1999 EOHR press release: Press Release Galal Arif: another journalist under threat of imprisonment The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) received with deep concern the decision of the Higher State Security Prosecution, on 14 February 1999, referring Galal Arif, journalist at Al-Arabi, the newspaper of the […]
(EOHR/IFEX) – The following is a 15 February 1999 EOHR press release:
Press Release
Galal Arif: another journalist under threat of imprisonment
The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) received with deep
concern the decision of the Higher State Security Prosecution, on 14
February 1999, referring Galal Arif, journalist at Al-Arabi, the
newspaper of the Nasserist opposition party, and former deputy of the
Press Syndicate, to the Cairo Criminal Court. Arif is accused of libel
and slander against a person with a representative capacity. This
decision was taken upon a complaint made by Tharwat Abaza, writer at
Al-Ahram semi-official newspaper and deputy of the Shura (Consultative)
Council, in which he accused Arif of libeling and
slandering him in an article published in Al-Arabi. According to the
Penal Code and Press Law 96/1996, Arif may receive up to one year
imprisonment sentence and/or a fine.
It must be noted that the said article, entitled “Having immunity”, was
in conformity with the Egyptian Constitution as well as with
international human rights instruments ratified by the Egyptian
government. In it, Arif described Abaza as being “loathsome and
abusive”, and said that he (Abaza) was making use of his immunity to
abuse others. These statements came in response to a campaign launched
by Abaza against journalists and which raised the subject of the “yellow
press”. Following Arif’s article, Abaza filed a complaint to the High
State Security Prosecution, which questioned Gala Arif in the presence
of representatives of the Press Syndicate. The EOHR has learnt that the
journalist refused to make any statements on the
basis that the interrogations were in non-conformity with the Press
Syndicate Law, as Abaza should have informed the Syndicate of the legal
action he was about to take as stipulated in the said law.
The EOHR is seriously concerned about the referral of Galal Arif to the
Criminal Court. Out of its concern for the right to freedom of opinion
and expression, a right upheld by the Egyptian Constitution and
international human rights standards, the EOHR condemns, in principle,
the use of any freedom-restricting punishments against journalists for
publications offences. At the same time, the EOHR reiterates the
importance of amending penal provisions concerning criticism of the
behaviour of persons in public positions or with representative
capacity. It stresses that it is enough to impose fines and preserve the
claimant’s right to respond in the same newspaper, and to seek his civil
right when necessary. Imprisonment is an
oppressive measure that will intimidate journalists and prevent them
from performing their work. Therefore, the EOHR appeals to the
legislature to amend the legislative framework governing the press
profession. This can be realized by revoking all freedom-restricting
punishments against journalists. The organization also appeals to all
civil society institutions to support journalists threatened by these
punishments, which endanger freedom of the press in Egypt.
