AFTE’s Newsletter: December 2022

Date : Monday, 9 January, 2023

In December, the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) monitored the state and problems of freedom of thought and expression in Egypt. Through its various units’ activities, AFTE issued statements, reports, undersigned several joint statements, and published videos that take a deeper look at some of the issues of freedom of thought and expression currently raised and provided legal aid in cases related to freedom of thoughts and expression.

1. Publications

Problems of getting access to information in “Supreme State Security” cases paper relies on the legal analysis of the articles of the Criminal Procedures Law and the law regulating the legal profession in Egypt. It reviews international covenants related to the right to a fair trial. It also reviews the problems that AFTE’s Legal Aid Unit team faced before the Supreme State Security Prosecution, as well as the investigations the prosecution conducted with activists Alaa Abdel-Fattah, Mohamed Al-Baqer and Mohamed Ibrahim (Oxygen).

Egyptian judicial rulings and freedom of information paper relies on the legal analysis of judicial rulings related to the right to freedom of information and review the development of constitutional texts related to that right; it also highlights the importance to issue a comprehensive law to regulate freedom of information

2. Joint Statements

In December, Egyptian activist Ahmed Douma entered his 10th year in arbitrary detention. The undersigned individuals, groups, and organizations to this statement urge the Egyptian authorities to immediately release Douma and all those arbitrarily detained in Egypt.

3. Legal Aid

– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of Hussein Shehata and journalist Ahmed Abdel Majid for 15 days because of Facebook posts
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of lawyer Ahmed Nazeer El-Helw for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of worker Mohamed Raafat Nasr for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of Mohamed Mahmoud Abou Mandour for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of visual artist Amir Abdel Ghani for 15 days for “spreading false news”
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews Momtaz Ahmed Lotfy’s detention for 15 days; for posting video about Gamasa Prison fire
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of Ziad Abo El-fadl and 3 other defendants for 15 days
– After his arrest at police checkpoint, Borg El-Arab Prosecution renews Moaaz Rizk’s detention for 15 days
– despite exceeding 2 years in pretrial detention; Criminal Court renews academic Ahmed Al-Tohamy’s detention for 45 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews Ahmed Oraby’s detention for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of 4 defendants; for calling to demonstrate on November 11
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of journalist Manal Agrama for 15 days
– After exceeding 3 years in pretrial detention; Criminal Court renews Ahmed Hassanein Mohamed Moussa’s detention for 45 days
– Hamed Sedeek rotated into new case after 3 years in pretrial detention
– AFTE submits 2 requests to release Mohamed Mahfouz Abdul Latif and provide him with health care
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of lawyer Ahmed Nazeer El-Helw for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of worker Mohamed Raafat Nasr for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of Mohamed Mahmoud Abou Mandour for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of Hussein Shehata and journalist Ahmed Abdel Majid for 15 days because of Facebook posts
– Doctor Hamed Sadeek released pending case 1356 of 2019 and to be detained pending a new one
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews Momtaz Ahmed Lotfy’s detention for 15 days; for posting video about Gamasa Prison fire
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews activist Sherif El-Rouby’s detention for 15 days in new case 3 months after his release
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of visual artist Amir Abdel Ghani for 15 days for “spreading false news”
– Criminal Court renews student Estshhad Kamal Rezk’s detention for 45 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews Ahmed Oraby’s detention for 15 days due to Facebook posts
– Borg El-Arab Prosecution renews the detention of master’s student Moaaz Rizk for 15 days
– Criminal Court renews the detention of Ahmed Adel and Fahmy Mohamed for 45 days
– Administrative Judiciary Court sets appeal against dismissing student Omar Mohamed Ali from Thebes Higher Institute of Engineering for adjudication on January 23
– Criminal Court renews the detention of translator Marwa Arafa for 45 days; Despite exceeding the maximum period of pretrial detention
– Criminal Court renews Mohamed Mamdouh Abdel Halim’s detention for 45 days pending his second case

4. Videos

With the Egyptian Authorities’ crackdown on the LGBTQA+ community, AFTE calls on the authorities to stop the violations against them and allow them freedom of expression. Share your opinion on #MyGenderIdentityIsPride

Despite exceeding the maximum period of pretrial detention, Ahmed AlTohamy has been in pre-trial detention for more than two years, without committing an actual crime. We demand the release of Tohamy, and the #academics imprisoned in remand, whether for carrying out their work or expressing their critical opinions on some public policies. blog with us on #AcademicsBehindBars

Egyptian Women’s suffering increases, Especially if they choose a lifestyle that contradicts society’s perceptions of how a woman should be, and it may get even worse and lead to job loss. This is what happened with Mona AlPrince, who was dismissed from her job as a professor at Suez University, and the judiciary upheld the decision to dismiss her. Share your thoughts on #AcademicFreedomIsRight

On International Human Rights Day, we share this video wondering for how long will Egyptians be deprived of their right to Freedom Of Expression and exchange of information as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Egyptian Constitution.

Worse than the maximum security Scorpion Prison, What is happening inside Badr Prison, where at least three deaths have been reported since it was inaugurated? Why were detainees in prison denied visits? Watch the video, and join the discussion on #Their_Right_Is_Human_Dignity

Marwa Arafa is spending her third year in Pretrial detention, away from her daughter and family, and exceeding the legal period of pretrial detention. A heavy price she pays for expressing her opinion. Share your comments on the hashtag #FreeMarwaArafa.

Between the Ban and suspension decisions and the Supreme Council for Media Regulations’ decisions to control global Streaming Platforms. Where is the freedom of creativity in Egypt is heading? Join us blogging on #NoCreativityWithoutFreedom

Why was Badr arrested again after he was released as a minor? Badr has spent more than two years in detention without committing an actual crime. His young daughter was born and is spending her childhood away from her father, who is illegally detained awaiting the verdict in his retrial proceedings. Join us on #FreeBadrMohammed

5. Campaigns

Marwa Arafa exceeds two years in Pretrial Detention; why do the authorities refuse to release her?Follow us on #FreeMarwaArafa for more information about the translator, who has been imprisoned since April 2020 until now.

Suspending singers and determining how they sing! Art-centric syndicates besiege creatives instead of providing a prospering environment and Media Regulations Council, in turn, besieges streaming platforms, Follow the hashtag and join us on Join us tweeting us on #NoCreativityWithoutFreedom

Arrested in 2013 when he was 17, with no apparent reason. Badr did not imagine he would be arrested again without being released this time! For more information about Badr Mohamed, who has been held in pretrial #detention despite exceeding the legal period, Follow us on #FreeBadrMohamed

Latest Update

AFTE files a lawsuit against the Faculty of Arts at Banha University for its refusal to appoint a teaching assistant despite her eligibility

AFTE’s Weekly Legal Bulletin (7:14 April 2024)|: Release of two defendants who were arrested for participating in pro-Gaza demonstrations in front of the Journalists Syndicate and renewal of the detention of a mosque’s custodian pending investigations

Supreme State Security releases Ahmed Abdel Karim after his arrest for participating in a protest against the war in Gaza

State Security Prosecution Released Mustafa Ramadan who is imprisoned due to his participation in a demonstration of solidarity with Palestine in front of the Journalists Syndicate

AFTE’s Weekly Legal Bulletin (31 March: 7 April 2024)| Two persons were detained for demonstrating in support of Gaza in front of the Journalists Syndicate, and renewal of the detention of 4 others, including academic Ahmed AlTohamy