Writers and journalists among arrested anti-war protestors

(WiPC/IFEX) – The outbreak of military action in Iraq led to concerns that governments of many countries would restrict the ability of their citizens to gather and speak out against the coming war. These concerns have unfortunately been borne out by the actions of governments throughout the world, most noticeably those of the Egyptian authorities. […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – The outbreak of military action in Iraq led to concerns that governments of many countries would restrict the ability of their citizens to gather and speak out against the coming war. These concerns have unfortunately been borne out by the actions of governments throughout the world, most noticeably those of the Egyptian authorities. Since 20 March 2003, hundreds of people associated with the anti-war movement in Egypt, 16 of whom are writers, have been detained
and some have reportedly been tortured solely for the peaceful practice of their right to freedom of expression and assembly.

The following statement was prepared by the Egyptian PEN Centre in response to the suppression of anti-war protests by the Egyptian authorities:

Detention of Writers in Egypt
25 March 2003

There are several writers among the many citizens who have been arrested recently in Egypt because of their participation in demonstrations and rallies against the invasion of Iraq. The list includes Mr. Kaarim Mahmoud (journalist), Ms. Magda Mohamed Abdel-Rahman (journalist), Tamim Barghouti (poet and PhD candidate at Boston University), Shaqeeq al-Taher (journalist) and Hamdeen Sabahi (journalist and member of Parliament). They are detained for a fortnight, renewable at the expiration date. Furthermore, two members of Egyptian PEN were detained for a few hours and interrogated by the Egyptian Security Police without an arrest warrant or charges: Dr. Shereen Abou el Naga, associate professor of English Literature at Cairo University (on 22 March 2003) and novelist Ms. Afaf al-Sayyid (on 24 March 2003). Both were walking on the street when they were detained, following their participation in rallies against the war on Iraq.

We, concerned writers in Egyptian PEN, ask Writers in Prison Committee to circulate this notice and demand from Egyptian authorities the immediate release of all the detained writers mentioned.

Background Information

However, the repression of anti-war protests did not begin in earnest until the beginning of military action in Iraq on 20 March 2003. Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo and were met with violent repression by the police, who were attempting to prevent the protestors from reaching the American and British embassies. Anti-war rallies continued on 21 March in numerous locations in Cairo. Police continued to respond with excessive force, using water cannons against the demonstrators and beating them with clubs. Security forces were also reported to have occupied the offices of the Egyptian Bar Association for six hours and arrested more than fifteen lawyers, some of whom were beaten. Many of these lawyers had reportedly defended anti-war protestors in the past.

Hundreds of people, both participants and onlookers, have been detained by the police during the anti-war protests in Egypt. While some of those detained have been released, an unknown number are still thought to be held incommunicado at undisclosed locations. There have also been reports of torture in detention.

The following writers are thought to remain in detention under renewable fifteen-day detention orders following their arrests in the March 2003 anti-war protests. It is not known whether any of the individuals have been charged:

Magda Mohamed Abdel-Rahman, a journalist for El Arabi Nasiri newspaper.
Hamada Ali Abdullah, a journalist.
Abeer El Asceree, a journalist.
Shady Gamal Assad, editor of El Esboah.
Mohamed Ibrahim Abd El Atee, a journalist.
Tamim Barghouti, a poet and PhD student at Boston University.
Issam Fadl, a journalist for El Beyen newspaper.
Nadah El Kasas, a journalist.
Kaarim Mahmoud, a journalist.
Hamdeen Sabahi, a journalist and Member of the People’s Assembly. Arrested following a statement to the People’s Assembly questioning the police repression of the anti-war protests.
Mohamed Rageb Abd El Satar, a journalist for El Tagamaoh.
Shaqeeq Al-Taher, a journalist.

The following writers have been briefly detained by the authorities for participating in the anti-war protests:

Shereen Abou El Naga, an associate Professor of English Literature at Cairo University and member of Egyptian PEN. Arrested on 22 March 2003 and detained for several hours following her participation in the anti-war protests.
Hossain El Hamalawy, a freelance correspondent with the LA Times. Arrested on the afternoon of 22 March 2003. Released at 2:00 a.m. on 23 March after signing a statement saying he would not participate in “any riot causing damage to public or private property.”
Ibrahim al-Sahary, a journalist for Al-Alam Al-Youm and the author of a recent book criticising United States and Arab policies in Iraq, was arrested and held in the offices of the State Security Forces in Cairo until 18 February 2003, following an anti-war demonstration on 31 January.
Afaf al-Sayyid, a novelist and member of Egyptian PEN. Arrested on 24 March 2003 and detained for several hours following her participation in the anti-war protests.

Recommended Action

Appeals To

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