Two bloggers arrested for “taking advantage of prevailing atmosphere of democracy to overthrow the regime”, another expelled from university campus
(ANHRI/IFEX) – On 28 October 2008, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) announced that the Egyptian security forces have arrested two more bloggers. The arrests of Abd Altawab Mahmoud, who runs the blog “Alhayat Alsa’ida” ( http://ragabhpl.blogspot.com ), and Khalifa Ebaid, who runs the blog “Ana Mathoon” in Fayoum city, have increased the […]
Student denied university housing as punishment for opinions expressed on his blog
(ANHRI/IFEX) – The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemns the exclusion of blogger Ahmed Abdel Kawi from the lists of students eligible for university housing, despite his meeting all the necessary conditions, because he has voiced his opinions publicly on his blog ( http://akeedinegypt.blogspot.com ). Adel Kawi was born in the governorate of […]
News company fined, equipment confiscated over coverage of anti-government protests
(ANHRI/IFEX) – The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) firmly denounces the 26 October 2008 sentence issued by the Court of Misdemeanors in Boulaq , Cairo, against Nader Gohar, director of the Cairo News Company (CNC). The sentence handed down excessive fines and ordered the confiscation of equipment belonging to a French television company […]
Journalist removed from his position after writing article that criticised the government
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release: IFJ Calls on Egyptian Newspaper to Respect Editorial Independence The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned a recent decision by the Egyptian newspaper Al Gomhoria to remove journalist Hesham Basyoni from his position after he wrote an article critical of the government. “We are extremely […]
Security forces conduct aggressive campaign against bloggers
(ANHRI/IFEX) – The following is a 23 October 2008 ANHRI press release: Renowned Egyptian blogger Nora Younis has received the annual human rights award from a prominent US-based organization, Human Rights First, ( https://secure.ga1.org/05/support_heroes_hp ) for her extraordinary efforts defending human rights issues and advocating for the democracy movement in Egypt. The Egyptian security apparatus […]
Journalists denied union membership in reprisal for their critical reporting
(AHNRI/IFEX) – The following is a 20 October 2008 joint press release by ANHRI and the Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement (EACPE): Journalists go on hunger strike today in protest of the refusal by the Journalist Union to grant them membership The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) and the Egyptian Association for […]
Court imposes heavy fines on two weekly journalists
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 15 October 2008 CPJ press release: EGYPT: Court imposes heavy fines on two weekly journalists New York, October 15, 2008 – The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns an Egyptian court’s decision on Saturday to levy steep fines against an editor and reporter for an independent weekly that published a […]
Editor previously sentenced to prison granted presidential pardon
(EOHR/IFEX) – The following is a 8 October 2008 EOHR press release: EOHR Welcomes the presidential pardon on Issa’s imprisonment sentence EOHR welcomes the presidential pardon granted by President Gamal Mubarak for Ibrahim Issa, editor-en-chief of “Al Dostour” newspaper. The pardon was issued on 6 October 2008, after Issa was sentenced to two months in […]
Reporter arrested while covering protests still detained
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 26 September 2008 CPJ press release: CPJ: Egypt detains reporter covering protests New York, September 26, 2008 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the ongoing detention of a reporter for the independent daily Al-Dustour. Hossam Al Wakeel, 20, was arrested on Wednesday while covering protests that […]
Joint Action: Thirty-seven IFEX members call for end to jailing of journalists under criminal defamation laws; conviction of journalist upheld by appeals court
(EOHR/IFEX) – The following is an appeal by 37 IFEX members calling for an end to the imprisonment of journalists under criminal defamation laws: Call for End to Jailing of Journalists Under Criminal Defamation Laws We, the undersigned 37 organisations, members of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), condemn the ongoing violations of freedom […]
Ministry of Information prohibits media from reporting on recent kidnapping, later revokes decision
(ANHRI/IFEX) – ANHRI condemned a 23 September 2008 decision, issued by the Ministry of Information press office, prohibiting reporting on the recent kidnapping of 8 Egyptians and 11 foreign tourists. The kidnapping, which occurred on 19 September, had already been reported by Egyptian and international media sources before the ban was issued. The ban represents […]
Two publications’ licences revoked
(ANHRI/IFEX) – On 7 September 2008, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, Anhri.net, condemned the revoking of the licences of both “Azzohour” magazine and “Ashorouq” newspaper in less than one week. The security agencies decided that “Azzohour” magazine should not be published, and took offence to the fact that some of “Ashorouq” newspaper’s shareholders […]
Government offensive against freedom of expression on TV includes new broadcasting bill
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders condemns growing Egyptian government control over the media, especially the broadcast media. Egypt already has a repressive press law and a state of emergency law that has been in effect since 1981. In November, parliament is due to examine a new broadcasting bill that is causing further concern. At the […]
Imprisoned author Karim Amer in poor state of health, harassed and denied basic rights
(ANHRI/IFEX) – ANHRI reports from the Borg Al-Arab prison, in the Alexandrian desert, that Karim Amer, an author imprisoned for exercising his freedom of expression, has been subjected to significant ill-treatment. ANHRI’s lawyer Rawda Ahmed visited Amer in prison on 30 August 2008. She was shocked to find him in a poor state of health. […]
Videotaping of two episodes of “Eye on Democracy” television programme ordered halted by authorities
(ANHRI/IFEX) – The Egyptian authorities recently ordered the cancellation, without justification, of the videotaping of two programmes for an American satellite television channel, Al-Hura, just hours before their shooting, and in spite of the authorities’ four-week-old agreement with the company to allow the videotaping. Both programmes were on the issue of democracy, and involved interviews […]
Printing press refuses to print edition of newspaper
(ANHRI/IFEX) – On 20 August 2008, ANHRI expressed its objection to, and firm condemnation of Al Ahram Press’s refusal to print the second edition of “Al-Badeel” daily independent newspaper. The press’s decision came on the heels of the newspaper’s coverage of a fire in al-Shoura Council, which included comments by experts suggesting that “the fire […]