Blogger arrested, faces charges under state of emergency law
(ANHRI/IFEX) – On 23 August 2008, ANHRI and the Hisham Mubarak Law Center reported that the state security investigation agency had decided to keep in prison Mohamed Refaat, editor of the blog Matabbat, http://matabbat.blogspot.com . The authorities have turned a blind eye to a 17 August supreme state security prosecution order calling for the young […]
Case of missing editor still unresolved after five years
(CPJ/IFEX) – This is an 11 August 2008 CPJ press release: Still no word, five years after editor disappeared New York, August 11, 2008 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is dismayed by the failure of the Egyptian authorities to shed light on the disappearance of a prominent journalist, five years ago today, in one […]
Female film director faces possible flogging at behest of lawyer affiliated with National Democratic Party
(ANHRI/IFEX) – One of the lawyers affiliated with the Egyptian National Democratic Party (NDP) who is a specialist in “Hesba” cases (which involve alleged insults to God, which are deemed harmful to Islamic society) against authors and artists has demanded the flogging of an Egyptian female movie director. He sent an official warning to the […]
Issues of “Al-Dustour” and “Al Badil” newspapers confiscated by security agency following article on Lebanese singer’s murder
(ANHRI/IFEX) – Security service agents recently confiscated copies of the independent newspapers “Al-Dustour” and “Al Badil” from stores, following the newspapers’ publication of a story about an Egyptian businessman’s connection to the murder of the well-known Lebanese singer Suzanne Tamim in Dubai, a city in the United Arab Emirates. The seizure of the newspapers from […]
Academic sentenced to two years in prison over articles published abroad, threatened with loss of citizenship
(ANHRI/IFEX) – On 2 August 2008, the Al Khalifa Misdemeanors’ Court sentenced Dr. Saad El Din Ibrahim in absentia to two years in prison. The case stems from a claim filed by one of the People’s Council members, who is also a member of the ruling party, and by the undersecretary of the Lawyers Union-Giza […]
New Internet café measures tantamount to censorship, says ANHRI
(ANHRI/IFEX) – On 9 August 2008, ANHRI announced that the Egyptian government has imposed a new measure obliging Internet cafés to gather and keep certain personal information from visitors who use their services. The information collected includes the names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of would-be Internet users. ANHRI is concerned that the measure infringes […]
Internet activists detained in Alexandria, no explanation given for arrests
(ANHRI/IFEX) – According to ANHRI’s information, on 23 July 2008, security officers arrested a number of young Internet activists, who form part of the “6th of April Youth” group. The youths were arrested during a trip to Alexandria and are being held in a State Security detention centre, known as the “Pharaohs’ Quarters”. On 24 […]
Journalist harassed, detained, his photographs erased, while investigating construction company activities
(ANHRI/IFEX) – The following is a 20 July 2008 ANHRI press release: Days Ago, No Investigation Occurred A Journalist at Al-Tareeq Newspaper is waiting for Justice The Arab Network for Human Rights Information, ANHRI.net, has presented a complaint to the Prosecutor General demanding an explanation for not conducting any investigation of an assault on Almohamed […]
Interpreter released, recounts detention ordeal; textile factory worker who wrote blog detained, tortured, told to “stop reading the newspapers and keep quiet”
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is an abridged version of an 18 July 2008 Human Rights Watch press release: Egypt: Release Dozens of Protestors Held Without Charge Detainees Held for More Than 90 Days, Allegedly Tortured (New York, July18, 2008) – Egypt should immediately release six men who have been detained for more than 90 days […]
Writer questioned and released, but warned not to write about military matters without permission
(ANHRI/IFEX) – The Military Prosecutor General decided to release journalist and writer Abd Al Khaliq Farouq on 8 July 2008 after two and a half hours of questioning. However, Farouq was instructed to not address any issues related to the military without permission from the concerned bodies. Farouq, who was represented by lawyers from the […]
Journalist to be questioned by military intelligence over book on economic mismanagement and corruption
(ANHRI/IFEX) – According to information received by ANHRI, on 5 July 2008 the journalist and writer Abd El Khaliq Farouq was notified that he must appear on 8 July at the quarters of the Military Prosecutor General, to answer questions about his most recent book, “Indictment Petition”. Initially, the Military Security Agency had sent a […]
Journalist brutally assaulted by police, faces trumped-up charges
(ANHRI/IFEX) – Three rights organisations – ANHRI, the Arab Council for the Support of a Fair Trial and the Hisham Mubarak Law Center – submitted a petition to a deputy minister on 21 June 2008, demanding an investigation into the brutal assault of journalist Kamal Murad of “Al-Fajr” newspaper by three police officers on 17 […]
Freedom of Opinion & Expression in Egypt
Freedom of Opinion & Expression in Egypt
Police forcefully prevent public expression of anti-extremism opinions by cultural workers
(ANHRI/IFEX) – On 11 June 2008, police forces intervened to prevent the staging of a cultural event calling for patriotic unity and rejecting extremism. The gathering was organized by poets and intellectuals, and was to be held in Cairo’s Talaat Harb Square. The police forces prevented the participants from reaching the square, threatening them with […]
Defamation case launched against blogger for reporting on environmental pollution is first of its kind
(ANHRI/IFEX) – According to ANHRI and the “Mosawah” Association for Human Rights, on 9 June 2008 the Azzohour Court of Port Said is expected to begin reviewing a unique case filed by Trust Chemicals Inc. against blogger Tamer Mabrouk. Tamer Mabrouk is the owner of “The Truth Blog”, http://elhakika.blogspot.com The blogger is accused of defamation […]
Government-shuttered company, its owner face continuing harassment over broadcasts of anti-government protests
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a 24 May 2008 Human Rights Watch press release: Egypt: Satellite Company Punished for Protest Footage CNC Linked to Broadcast of Anti-Government Demonstrations (New York, May 24, 2008) – Egyptian authorities have enforced media licensing laws to punish a company associated with broadcasting information critical of the government, Human Rights […]