Two journalists questioned
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is expressing its concern over the questioning of two journalists working for the liberal daily “Al Wafd”. According to RSF’s sources, on 7 and 8 January 1999, Abbas al-Terabily and Mohammed Abdel Alim were questioned on charges of “publication of propaganda harming the public interest” after reporting on a labour action by […]
Journalist on trial in military court
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is urging Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to intervene in favour of a journalist, currently in the dock in the so-called Hekstep trial, in which one hundred and seven Muslim militants have been brought before a military court. According to RSF’s sources, Abd al Munim Gamal al Din Abd al Munim, an independent […]
EOHR resumes activities
(EOHR/IFEX) – The following is a 21 December 1998 EOHR press release announcing the resumption of the organisation’s activities: Cairo, 21 December 1998 Press Release EOHR resumes activities EOHR challenge on its legal registration accepted In a meeting held on Friday, 18 December 1998, the Board of Trustees of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights […]
EOHR lawyer Mustafa Zidan released on bail
(EOHR/IFEX) – The following is a 9 December 1998 EOHR press release on the occasion of the release on bail of the organisation’s lawyer, Mustafa Zidan: **Updates IFEX alerts of 7 December, 4 December and 3 December 1998** Wednesday, 9 December 1998 Press Release The High State Security Prosecution releases EOHR Lawyer Mustafa Zidan on […]
EOHR secretary-general released
(EOHR/IFEX) – The following is a 6 December 1998 EOHR press release on the occasion of the release from detention of the organisation’s secretary-general, Hafez Abu Seada: **Updates IFEX alerts of 4 December and 3 December 1998** On the afternoon of 6 December 1998, the Higher State Security Prosecution ordered the release of Hafez Abu […]
Fears mount for top Egyptian human rights defender
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 4 December 1998 ARTICLE 19 press release in response to the recent jailing Hafez Abu Seada, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR): London, 4 December 1998: For immediate release FEARS MOUNT FOR TOP EGYPTIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER – IN JAIL, INCOMMUNICADO ARTICLE 19 today sent […]
ARTICLE 19 appeals to UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to assure the safety and immediate release of EOHR Secretary-General
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 4 December 1998 ARTICLE 19 letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression further to the arrest and detention of Hafez Abu Seada, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights: Abid Hussein UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Geneva 4 December 1998 ARTICLE 19 […]
Fears for the safety of EOHR secretary-general
(EOHR/IFEX) – EOHR is expressing deep concern and apprehension with respect to the condition of its secretary-general, Hafez Abu-Seada. Although more than seventy hours have passed since charges were brought against him and he was placed in preventive detention, the organisation has not received any clear information about him or whether health and safety conditions […]
EOHR secretary-general detained
(HRW/IFEX) – Following is a letter Human Rights Watch sent on 2 December 1998 to President Mubarak about the 1 December detention of the secretary-general of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights. He is facing serious criminal charges for dissemination abroad of an EOHR report, and for accepting a grant from the human rights committee […]
Confiscation of first two issues of “Alf Lela” newspaper
(EOHR/IFEX) – According to EOHR, the first and second issues of “Alf Lela” have been confiscated and the newspaper has been banned from entering Egypt. “Alf Lela” is an art newspaper licensed in Cyprus, and is among foreign publications subject to the authority of the Censorship Department at the Ministry of Information. EOHR has learnt […]
Important ruling by the Court of Cassation revoking previous ruling against journalists Magdi Hussein and Mohammed Hilal
(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; […]
Ongoing government harassment of “Cairo Times” magazine
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 30 May 1998, “Cairo Times” publisher Hisham Kassem was informed by his printer, Sahara Printing House, that his magazine could no longer be printed in Egypt by order of the General Authority for Free Zones and Investment (GAFI). Like several other publications, the English-language “Cairo Times” has been printing in the free […]
Fierce attack on freedom of the press must be stopped
(EOHR/IFEX) – The full text of an EOHR press release, made available on 1 June 1998, follows: 21 May 1998: The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) received with deep concern and distress the ruling passed by the Abdeen Court of Appeals for Misdemeanors on 20 May 1998, ordering the imprisonment of journalist Amr Abdel-Hadi […]
Egyptian Penal Code hampers free press
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – On 13 May 1998, ARTICLE 19 released the following statement regarding Egypt’s use of their Penal Code against journalists: **Updates IFEX alert of 20 April 1998** ARTICLE 19, the International Centre Against Censorship, is greatly concerned by the Egyptian governmentâs renewed use of over-broad provisions in the Penal Code to bring prosecutions […]
Article 19 protests prosecutions of the media
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is the full text of a letter sent by Article 19 to President H.E. Hosni Mubarak on 17 April 1998: ARTICLE 19, the International Centre Against Censorship, is greatly concerned about your government’s renewed use of over-broad provisions in the Penal Code to bring prosecutions against journalists, editors and proprietors […]
CPJ concerned over disregard for freedom of expression
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is profoundly concerned about several serious developments over the past two months which have contributed to a further deterioration of press freedom in Egypt. CPJ wrote to His Excellency Muhammad Hosni Mubarak on 25 February 1998, protesting the one-year prison sentences handed down against journalists Magdy Hussein and Muhammad Hilel of the […]