{"id":41055,"date":"2026-06-01T00:02:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T21:02:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/?p=41055"},"modified":"2026-06-01T12:14:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T09:14:47","slug":"aftes-newsletter-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/advocacy-en\/2026\/06\/01\/41055-afteegypt.html","title":{"rendered":"AFTE’s Newsletter: May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) shares with you the statements issued over the past month, along with legal updates on cases in which AFTE provides legal support to prisoners of conscience, as well as academics who have faced harassment and security-related prosecutions for expressing their opinions.<\/p>\n

We always welcome any inquiries or clarifications from everyone, through our social media platforms, or via the following email: info@afteegypt.org<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Advocacy<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression called on the Public Prosecution\u00a0in a statement to revoke its decision to place researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy on the travel\u2011ban lists<\/a>, after the Supreme Administrative Court ruled in Santawy\u2019s favor and annulled the travel ban, considering freedom of movement a natural right that falls within the scope of public freedoms. AFTE also expressed concern about the possibility of reusing charges that have already been adjudicated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

In another statement,\u00a0AFTE\u00a0condemned the continued detention of poet Galal El-Behairy<\/a> that lasted for more than eight years pending different lawsuits, AFTE submitted\u00a0two petitions to the Public Prosecutor demanding the immediate release of El-Behairy and correction of procedural irregularities in his cases, noting that the Supreme State Security Prosecution referred him in August to criminal trial in two lawsuits but did not send the case files to the competent Court of Appeal to set the chamber and trial date, resulting in\u00a0his continued detention instead of going with the\u00a0legal procedures.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

AFTE cosigned a joint statement along with members and partners of IFEX and the Global Forum for Media Development to\u00a0condemn Zambia\u2019s last\u2011minute cancellation of RightsCon 2026<\/a>, reportedly under pressure from China over Taiwanese delegates, as a serious violation of freedom of assembly, press freedom, and open civic space that undermines UNESCO\u2019s World Press Freedom Day events, fragments an already strained media and digital\u2011rights ecosystem, and chills collective action.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Legal Aid<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

During May, the date for pronouncing the verdict in the case of prominent political activist Ahmed Douma was set; the Cairo Court of Appeal scheduled the trial of poet Galal El-Behairy; the trials of six defendants, notably activist Mohamed Al\u2011Qassas and cartoonist Ashraf Omar, were adjourned; and the detention of 12 defendants was renewed.<\/p>\n