The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) shares with you the publications, statements, and videos it produced over the past month, in addition to the legal updates of lawsuits in which AFTE provides legal support to prisoners of conscience, or to academics who were subjected to abuse and security prosecutions for expressing their opinions.
We always welcome any inquiries or clarifications from everyone, through our social media platforms, or via the following email: [email protected]
Research Papers
Universities as one of the authorities’ tools: Report on universities’ surveillance of academics’ off-campus activities
The report discusses the expansion of the powers of universities in recent years, which have extended to monitoring the private lives of faculty members and students simultaneously. By doing so, universities are trying to acquire powers and roles that violate the Egyptian constitution, the law regulating universities, and international conventions regarding freedom of thought and expression and academic and student rights, for more.
Advocacy
AFTE and various human rights organizations condemned the detention of political activist Ghada Naguib by Turkish authorities, the wife of opposition figure Hisham Abdullah. We call for her immediate and unconditional release, urging the Turkish authorities to immediately refrain from deporting her to Egypt. The organizations emphasize that any improvement in relations between Egypt and Turkey should not come at the expense of human rights. The organizations urge the Turkish authorities to abide by international law, which stipulates that stateless people can not be deported, for More.
Egyptian human rights organizations called on the international community and the Egyptian government, in accordance with its humanitarian role and obligations under international law, to take all necessary measures to provide urgent relief to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, especially in light of the comprehensive blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation since 9 October, for more.
AFTE and several human rights organizations called on permanent member states of the United Nations Security Council and member states of the League of Arab States to take immediate action to prevent the situation in Gaza from developing into the crime of genocide against Palestinian civilians. The undersigned organizations urge these countries to assume their legal and political responsibility, and urgently submit to the Security Council a draft resolution within the framework of Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, immediately secure safe humanitarian passages to deliver vital aid, and put an end to Israel’s use of starvation as a tactic of war, for more.
AFTE Joins Landscapes of Hope Call for Solidarity and Action on Gaza, for more.
AFTE and several human rights organizations condemned the use of violence against the peaceful protests organized by hundreds of displaced and relocated local residents in the areas of Rafah and Sheikh Zuwaid in northeastern Sinai since 2013, demanding their right to return to their lands. The signatory organizations believe that these violations reflect the Egyptian government’s ongoing policy of undermining the will of the Sinai residents and suppressing them. This policy also undermines their constitutional right to peacefully assemble and demand their rights, and demonstrates a disregard for addressing past mistakes or discussing and rectifying their serious effects on the population, for more.
AFTE and several human rights organizations condemned the violations marring the collection of endorsements for candidates running the upcoming presidential elections, including violations at public notary offices, preventing citizens from issuing the required endorsement for their chosen candidates. Violations include violence and intimidation, and at times, using unreasonable ruses against citizens. The organizations further condemn the arrest of supporters of candidates running against Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the use of state agencies and institutions to mobilize pro-Sisi crowds in front of public notary offices, in a scene indicating the electoral process’s utter lack of freedom and integrity, reminiscent of the unfortunate scene during the presidential elections in 2018, for more.
Legal Aid
- Despite spending more than three years in pre-trial detention, Cairo Criminal Court renewed journalist Karim Ebrahim’s detention for an extra 45 days.
- The Criminal Court renewed Moataz Bellah Hasab Elnaby’s detention for 45 days against Facebook posts.
- Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of two Zamalek football club fans accused of joining Al-Ahly football club ultras for 15 days.
- After criticizing the current political regime, The Criminal Court renewed the detention of the 67-year-old doctor Hany Soliman for 45 days.
- After exceeding a year in pretrial detention, the Criminal Court renewed Hala Fahmy’s detention for 45 days.
- Khaled Galal Helmy’s detention hearing was adjourned to October 10.
- The Criminal Court renewed the six-year ongoing detention of Mohamed Al-Qassas.
- Detention of employee renewed for 45 days over political posts on Facebook.
- After more than four years in pretrial detention, the Criminal Court renewed Hamed Sedeek’s detention.
- Detention of two fans of Al-Ahly football club arrested from Cairo Stadium renewed.
- The Criminal Court renewed Mohamed Raafat Nasr’s detention for 45 days.
- The Criminal Court renewed Mohamed Amer Abdel Aziz’s detention for 45 days.
- The Criminal Court renewed a contractor’s detention for 45 days.
- Criminal Court renewed the detention of barista over a Facebook Post calling for demonstrations.
- Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of someone over chanting and filming during October victory celebrations.
- Criminal Court renewed the detention of a farm owner over posts calling for demonstrations.
- The detention of Activist and one of the injured in the January Revolution, Ahmed Oraby, was renewed for 45 days.
- The Criminal Court renewed Mohamed Abdel Aal Abou El-Dahab’s detention for 45 days.
- The Criminal Court renewed the detention of the poet and author of the “Balaha” political parody song, Galal Al-Behairi, despite exceeding five years in prison.
- Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of a member of Ahmed Al-Tantawy’s presidential campaign.
- The Criminal Court renewed journalist Hamdy Elzaeem’s detention for 45 days despite exceeding the maximum period in pretrial detention.
- The Criminal Court renewed the detention of Ahmed El-Toukhy for 45 days.
- The detention of academic Ahmed AlTomahy, who exceeded three years in pretrial detention, was renewed for an extra 45 days.
- The Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed Mohamed Asr’s detention for 15 days for posting on TikTok about the economic situation and electricity outage.
- Supreme State Security renewed Mohamed Abdo’s detention over criticizing the president’s policies on TikTok.
- State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of Ahmed Abostit for demonstrating in solidarity with Palestine.
- State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of a student for demonstrating in solidarity with Palestine.
- Supreme State Security renewed the detention of two participants in demonstrations of solidarity with Palestine for 15 days.
Videos:
On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Committed against Journalists, AFTE stressed the only means to liberate Egyptian journalism is by ensuring legal accountability for those responsible for suppressing it, for more.
