**Updates IFEX alerts dated 31, 30 January 1996 and 25 October 1995** On 7 May 1996, a Cairo court ordered Magdi Hussein, editor-in- chief of “Al-Shaab”, a bi-weekly organ of the pro-Islamist Labor Party, to pay a fine for a libel conviction, or else face imprisonment. The following day, police arrested Hussein because of his […]
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 31, 30 January 1996
and 25 October 1995**
On 7 May 1996, a Cairo court ordered Magdi Hussein, editor-in-
chief of “Al-Shaab”, a bi-weekly organ of the pro-Islamist Labor
Party, to pay a fine for a libel conviction, or else face
imprisonment. The following day, police arrested Hussein because
of his refusal to pay the fine until the court has ruled on his
appeal of the conviction. The next hearing of the appeal is
scheduled for the end of May.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
order the appropriate judicial authorities to overturn his
conviction on appeal, and cease the prosecution of other
journalists who are being tried under Law 93
constitutional protections for press freedom
exercised his right as a journalist “to seek, receive, and impart
information and ideas through any media, and regardless of
frontiers,” guaranteed by Article 19 of the United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
chilling effect on press freedom in Egypt
journalists is a clear violation of the principles of the
Declaration of Sana’a on Promoting Independent and Pluralistic
Arab Media, which were agreed upon by journalists from the entire
Arab world, and endorsed by the United Nations and UNESCO
Appeals To
His Excellency Mohammad Hosni Mubarak
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Oruba Palace
Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt
Fax: +202 260 5417
Farouk Seif al-Naser
Minister of Justice
Lazoghly Square
Mounira, Cairo, Egypt
Fax: +202 355 5700
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
