The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) shares with you the statements it issued over the past month, the joint statements it signed, the campaigns it launched, 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]
statements
AFTE condemned the General Egyptian Book Organization’s (GEBO) decision to ban ElMaraya for Culture and Arts from participating in the 2025 Cairo International Book Fair, without giving any reason. The move reflects the continuation of the intensive security and censorship targeting of ElMaraya over the recent years with the aim of hindering it from exercising its cultural role. More.
AFTE condemned the detention of writer and journalist Ahmed Serag in connection with a new opinion case, on the usual charges of joining a terrorist group, spreading false news, and using a website to promote terrorism. Serag was detained for performing his journalistic work. AFTE called on the Public Prosecutor to quickly release him, drop the charges levelled against him, stop the crackdown on journalists, lift restrictions on press freedom, and protect journalists instead of targeting and detaining them. More.
AFTE reiterated its rejection of the draft criminal procedure law, which the House of Representatives continues to discuss after approving 61 articles without introducing any substantive amendments. More.
Joint statements
28 human rights organizations have voiced serious concerns regarding the disappearance of journalist and poet Abdulrahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi since January 8, 2025. His whereabouts remain unknown following his boarding of a private flight to Abu Dhabi, in compliance with a decision by the Lebanese Council of Ministers to deport him to the UAE based on a claim filed by the Emirati Public Prosecutor. More.
10 human rights organizations have condemned the decisions of Egypt’s Supreme State Security Prosecution to refer hundreds of detainees—some held for over six years—to terrorism courts instead of releasing them. This move is seen as an attempt to cover up severe human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and flawed investigations in politically motivated cases. More.
7 Egyptian human rights organizations have strongly condemned the remarks made by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday, January 26, 2025. Trump suggested relocating more than one million Palestinians from Gaza to other countries, including Egypt and Jordan. The organizations described his statements as dangerous, violating international laws, inciting ethnic cleansing and war crimes, and reinforcing the U.S. as a partner in Israel’s crimes in Gaza. More.
Legal Aid
- Islam Abu Saud‘s detention was renewed due to Facebook posts complaining about power outages.
- Omar ElDahma’s detention was renewed over participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations.
- Detention was renewed for a Student who posted a call for protests and a video supporting Gaza on social media.
- Renewal of detention of Magdy Awad for 45 days due to posts criticizing the high prices.
- At the end of his sixth year in pretrial detention, the criminal court extended Mohamed Saad’s detention for 45 days over the Alliance of Hope lawsuit.
- Court of Appeals for South Cairo Criminal Court acquits Khaled Galal Helmy.
- After nearly two years in prison, the detention of two Al-Ahly Fans renewed following their arrest at Cairo stadium.
- After more than one year in detention, the Criminal court renewed Muhammad Zayan’s detention because of a video from Ahmed Al-Tantawy’s conference.
- The Criminal Court renews the detention of Tantawy’s presidential campaign Khaled Abd El-wahed after nearly 2 Years in Prison.
- After nearly two years of pretrial detention, Mahmoud Hanafy’s case was referred to a substantial trial.
- After more than 5 years of pretrial Detention, Amr Abdel-Moneim’s case referred to substantive trial.
- After 4 years of pretrial detention, the case of the photographer at DMC Karim Salem was referred to a substantial trial.
- Ahmed Al-Tomahy was referred to criminal trial after over 4 years in pretrial detention.
- Moataz Bellah Hasab Elnaby was referred to criminal trial after over 3 Years in pretrial detention.
- Journalist Kareem EIbrahim was referred to criminal trial after over 4 years in pretrial detention.
- Mohamed Al-Qassas was referred to the Criminal Court after over 7 years in pretrial detention.
- Administrative Court referred Manar Al-Tantawy’s appeal to the 18 Circuit.
- Detention was renewed for Hamed Sedeek, who has been detained since 2019.
- The detention of a citizen returning from the UAE to visit his family has been renewed.
- Journalist Khaled Mamdouh’s detention was renewed after more than 6 months since the raid on his home and his enforced disappearance.
- The Criminal Court renewed the detention of the contractor for 45 days after two years of pretrial detention.
- The Criminal Court renewed the detention of Ihab Helmy for 45 days after over 4 months of arrest.
- Renewal of Mohamed Ibrahim’s detention for Facebook posts about rising prices and difficult living conditions.
- The detention of a Doctor was renewed on charges of belonging to a terrorist group and using the Internet for criminal purposes.
- After over a year and no evidence, Mahmoud Abo Sree detention renewed
- Detention was renewed for a mother of two due to Facebook posts about power outages.
- After 6 months in prison, the renewal of the detention of A Citizen posted a comparison of commodity prices between 2013 and 2024.
- Renewal of detention of a Citizen who criticized the economic situation and Egypt’s stance on the Palestinian issue on Facebook.
- Detention was renewed for Ahmed Oraby, and a January revolution was injured for criticizing living conditions on Facebook.
- Poet Galal ElBehairy’s detention was renewed pending investigations in his third case.
- The administrative court overturned the decision to bypass AFTE Plaintiff’s appointment as an assistant lecturer at Cairo University.
- The detention of Ahmed Serag was renewed for 15 days over an interview with the wife of artist Ashraf Omar.
- Administrative Court reserves ruling on AFTE’s Lawsuit against Banha Faculty of Arts until April 28.
- Detention was renewed For Two Zamalek Fans accused of joining Al-Ahly Ultras, designated as a terrorist Group.
- The Criminal Court renewed the detention of Ahmed Abostit for demonstrating in solidarity with Palestine for 45 days.
- Al-Azhar University Student’s detention renewed over Palestine supporting demonstrations.
Campaigns
14 years after the January Revolution, the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression launched a campaign highlighting the contrast between then and now, asking: Where do we stand today on freedom and social justice? More.
