{"id":41261,"date":"2026-06-17T14:50:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T11:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/?p=41261"},"modified":"2026-06-17T14:50:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T11:50:35","slug":"continuous-discipline-annual-report-on-the-state-of-freedom-of-expression-in-egypt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html","title":{"rendered":"Continuous Discipline .. Annual Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Egypt"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\"><strong>Contents<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\"><strong>Methodology<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\"><strong>Section One: Context and Developments<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\">First: Widespread Criticism of the New Criminal Procedure Law<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\">Second: Growing Protest Movements<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\">Third: Civil Society Under the Restrictions of the NGO Law<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\">Fourth: Comprehensive Periodic Review: Announced Reforms and Continuing Violations<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\">Fifth: Parliamentary Elections: Security Agencies Manage the Political Scene<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\"><strong>Section Two: Analysis of Patterns of Violations of Freedom of Expression<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\">First: Freedom of Creativity<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\">Second: Freedom of Digital Expression<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\">Third: Academic Freedom and Student Rights<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\">Fourth: Freedom of Media<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #333333;\"><strong>Conclusion and Recommendations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Methodology<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">This report that covers the period from January 1<sup>st<\/sup>, 2025 to December 31<sup>st<\/sup>, 2025, is based on the cooperation between <strong>Daftar Ahwal Institute<\/strong>, which was responsible for monitoring and documenting violations and building the database, and the <strong>Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE)<\/strong>, which reviewed the data, analyzed it, and prepared the research material.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Daftar Ahwal Institute was responsible for the comprehensive technical and information management aspects of the database. Its work included designing the database structure, developing an integrated descriptive statistical framework for classification and organization, cleaning and indexing data, and managing all technical aspects related to data collection and administration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The process of building and managing the database followed a strict academic methodology to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the recorded information. A Data Triangulation approach was applied to verify each documented incident through the intersection of multiple independent sources. This method helped ensure reliability, objectivity, and the reduction of potential bias in documenting violations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The database relied on a variety of sources, including legal support and monitoring reports published by the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, independent press reports, official statements issued by government authorities, as well as digital complaints and reports. The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression analyzed and classified the documented data according to different patterns of violations. The organization also prepared the report in its entirety, including the general context, analysis of violations, and recommendations addressed to the Egyptian authorities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">This report monitors the state of freedom of expression in Egypt during 2025, a year marked by a highly complex environment shaped by severe economic challenges and rapid political and legislative developments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The report provides a documented assessment of freedom of expression through two main areas. The first focuses on the broader context, placing major events and developments within their political, legislative, and social framework. The second analyzes violations by documenting cases and patterns of restrictions and repression affecting rights and freedoms related to freedom of thought and expression, including artistic expression, digital expression, academic freedom, student rights, and media freedom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The year 2025 witnessed several important developments that exposed the continuing gap between official rhetoric on reform and the reality of policies and practices on the ground. These developments ranged from the controversial and widely criticized new Criminal Procedures Law, to growing protest activity across different sectors of society, Egypt\u2019s participation in the Universal Periodic Review before the Human Rights Council, and ended with parliamentary elections that were accompanied by numerous legal disputes and challenges. This report aims to serve as a reference document that combines careful documentation with analytical assessment. Its objective is to present practical and actionable proposals for protecting freedom of expression and the right to access information. The report also seeks to contribute to public discussion among state institutions, civil society organizations, and international stakeholders.\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Section One: Context and Developments<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The state of human rights in Egypt during 2025 cannot be understood without comprehending the political, legislative, and social contexts in which events took place. Human rights violations are not isolated incidents; rather, they reflect deeper structural changes in the legal system and in the relationship between the state and its citizens. This section examines the main developments that affected the right to freedom of expression during the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>First: Widespread Criticism of the New Criminal Procedures Law<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The new Criminal Procedures Law was one of the most significant human rights and political issues in Egypt during 2025. Since its introduction for public discussion, the draft law faced widespread criticism from civil society organizations, political groups, the Journalists Syndicate, and several United Nations human rights experts and mechanisms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Criminal Procedures Law is one of Egypt\u2019s oldest laws governing criminal justice proceedings, with origins dating back to the 1950s. Although it has been amended many times, it has continued to face criticism because of the broad powers it grants to investigative and law enforcement authorities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Parliament began discussing the draft law in August 2024 before approving it in April 2025, despite widespread calls for substantial amendments. On November 12<sup>th,<\/sup> \u00a02025, the President ratified Law No. 174 of 2025, with implementation scheduled to begin in October 2026.<a href=\"#_ftn1\" name=\"_ftnref1\">[1]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">At the same time that the law was being debated, the Supreme State Security Prosecution referred dozens of long pending political cases to terrorism circuits. This move was widely interpreted as an attempt to conclude these cases before the new law came into effect, preventing prisoners of conscience who had spent years in pretrial detention from benefiting from its provisions.<a href=\"#_ftn2\" name=\"_ftnref2\">[2]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Criticism of the draft law focused particularly on pretrial detention, which has become one of the most frequently used tools of repression in political cases in recent years. Although the draft law moderately reduced the maximum periods of pretrial detention and expanded alternative measures, it failed to effectively address the practice known as \u201crotation\u201d (tadweer). Under this practice, new charges are filed against individuals who are already detained, often in connection with separate cases, allowing authorities to keep prisoners of conscience in detention for indefinite periods. The law also preserved broad prosecutorial powers to renew pretrial detention orders.<a href=\"#_ftn3\" name=\"_ftnref3\">[3]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In November 2024, seven United Nations Special Rapporteurs sent a memorandum to the Egyptian government calling for the law to be brought into line with Egypt\u2019s Constitution and its international obligations. They warned that the draft failed to address the problem of prolonged pretrial detention and did not put an end to the practice of rotation. In May 2025, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights also urged the Egyptian President to carefully reconsider the draft law before ratification to ensure its full compliance with international human rights standards.<a href=\"#_ftn4\" name=\"_ftnref4\">[4]<\/a> Several provisions of the law were also criticized for their impact on the right to defense and fair trial guarantees. Some articles grant prosecutors broad authority to restrict defense lawyers\u2019 access to case files or limit lawyers\u2019 participation during investigations.<a href=\"#_ftn5\" name=\"_ftnref5\">[5]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In the same context, provisions related to surveillance and interception were likewise subject of significant criticism, particularly Articles 80 and 117, which granted the public prosecution and lower court judge broad powers to authorize the monitoring of communications, the seizure of correspondence, and the recording of private conversations, in addition to the ability to repeatedly renew the orders creating the possibility of arbitrary interference in individuals\u2019 private lives<a href=\"#_ftn6\" name=\"_ftnref6\">[6]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Egyptian Journalists Syndicate criticized a number of provisions in the law, including Article 266, which prohibits the publication or broadcasting of court proceedings without written permission from the presiding judge. The Syndicate argued that the provision imposes broad restrictions on press coverage and undermines the principle of public trials. Article 9 also drew criticism because it prevents victims from filing direct criminal complaints against public officials and law enforcement officers, which constitutes an entrenchment of the policy of impunity.<a href=\"#_ftn7\" name=\"_ftnref7\">[7]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In response to growing criticism, the President returned the draft law to Parliament in September 2025 for reconsideration of several provisions. However, the amendments adopted by Parliament were limited in scope.<a href=\"#_ftn8\" name=\"_ftnref8\">[8]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Second: Growing Protest Activity<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The year 2025 witnessed a notable increase in protest activity amid what is widely regarded as Egypt\u2019s most severe economic crisis in decades. Since 2022, the country has experienced three successive currency devaluations, during which the Egyptian pound lost more than two thirds of its value against the U.S. dollar. At the same time, inflation reached unprecedented levels, and the prices of essential goods rose several times within a short period. These developments led to a sharp erosion of real wages and significantly weakened the purchasing power of large segments of society, particularly among workers and the middle class.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">As a result, economic demands reached unprecedented levels, with wage related grievances and delayed payments becoming the primary drivers of most protest activities. Social discontent was no longer limited to the private sector but extended significantly into state institutions themselves. Public sector employees were responsible for 481 protest actions, most of which took place in the water and public services sectors. This trend carries important political implications, as protests within state institutions suggest an erosion of traditional patterns of institutional loyalty under the pressure of economic hardship.<a href=\"#_ftn9\" name=\"_ftnref9\">[9]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In the private sector, protests were concentrated in the production and service industries, driven by the failure to implement the minimum wage and delays in the payment of financial entitlements. It also became evident that the new Labor Law No. 14 of 2025, which entered into force in September, had little practical impact on workers\u2019 conditions. November alone recorded the highest number of labor protests during the year.<a href=\"#_ftn10\" name=\"_ftnref10\">[10]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The year 2025 also marked a qualitative shift in the nature of protest activity itself. Street demonstrations and sit ins increased significantly compared to previous years, reflecting a decline in public reluctance to engage in direct protest in public spaces, despite the continued restrictive security environment that has prevailed since 2013.<a href=\"#_ftn11\" name=\"_ftnref11\">[11]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Within this broader context, lawyers and journalists emerged as a distinct and influential protest bloc. During the second quarter of the year, lawyers organized a wave of protests that included strikes and demonstrations. These actions were characterized by a high degree of organization and were driven by deteriorating economic conditions, as well as growing concerns regarding judicial independence and the expanding influence of the executive branch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In the same context, journalists at \u201c<em>Al<\/em> <em>Bawaba<\/em> <em>News<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> staged a sit in that lasted for 56 days, demanding the implementation of the minimum wage. The protest was ultimately dispersed by force, highlighting both the weakness of trade union protections and the continued alignment of official authorities with institutional owners.<a href=\"#_ftn12\" name=\"_ftnref12\">[12]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">From a human rights perspective, the issue of political detention remained a major source of protest throughout 2025, both inside and outside places of detention. The year witnessed hundreds of hunger strikes in rehabilitation and correctional facilities, with detainees protesting detention conditions and demanding the release of political prisoners amid the absence of effective complaint and grievance mechanisms. One notable example was the hunger strike undertaken by university professor Laila Soueif in solidarity with her son, Alaa Abdel Fattah, calling for his release.<a href=\"#_ftn13\" name=\"_ftnref13\">[13]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In parallel, residents in several local communities continued to protest in defense of their right to housing and access to basic services, as in the case of El Warraq Island and the Toson area of Alexandria. Residents faced attempts at forced displacement as well as security measures that included arrests. The year also witnessed significant protests by cancer patients at Hermel Hospital in Cairo, who mobilized in defense of their right to health care<a href=\"#_ftn14\" name=\"_ftnref14\">[14]<\/a>. Among the most powerful incidents reflecting the social hardships of the year was the death of the infant Celia, the daughter of a worker at Nile Linen Group. The incident generated widespread public sympathy and became a catalyst for protest among various sectors of society.<a href=\"#_ftn15\" name=\"_ftnref15\">[15]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Third: Civil Society Under the Restrictions of the NGO Law<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Since 2011, civil society organizations in Egypt have faced increasing restrictions aimed at reducing their role in public life. These restrictions have taken various forms, including Judicial harassment, travel bans, asset freezes, limitations on foreign funding, and, ultimately, the establishment of an extensive system of state control through NGO Law No. 149 of 2019.<a href=\"#_ftn16\" name=\"_ftnref16\">[16]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Although the Egyptian authorities announced in March 2024 the closure of Case No. 173 of 2011, widely known as the &#8220;Foreign Funding Case,&#8221; after more than 13 years of investigations, this step did not result in an end to the restrictions imposed on civil society work.<a href=\"#_ftn17\" name=\"_ftnref17\">[17]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">While Article 75 of the Egyptian Constitution provides for the establishment of associations through a simple notification process, the law effectively circumvents this constitutional guarantee. It made the association\u2019s legal recognition and commencement of its activities subject to the administrative authority not raising an objection, namely the Ministry of Social Solidarity, within a grace period of 60 days. The law also requires the Ministry to issue a letter authorizing banks to open and activate an organization&#8217;s bank account. As a result, the constitutional principle of notification has, in practice, been transformed into a system of administrative licensing and prior security approval.<a href=\"#_ftn18\" name=\"_ftnref18\">[18]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The law further imposes substantial financial penalties that threaten the sustainability of non profit organizations, many of which operate with limited resources. Articles 15 and 16 grant the administrative authority broad powers to restrict activities it considers harmful to &#8220;public order,&#8221; &#8220;public morals,&#8221; &#8220;national unity,&#8221; or &#8220;national security.&#8221; These vague and broadly defined terms have been used to legitimize restrictions on civil society organizations. The law also requires organizations to obtain prior approval from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) before conducting public opinion surveys, field research, or publishing their findings. In addition, it authorizes officials from the Ministry of Social Solidarity to enter NGO premises, inspect their records, and seek the removal of board members, the dissolution of organizations, or the seizure of their assets through administrative courts if they fail to comply with these restrictive requirements.<a href=\"#_ftn19\" name=\"_ftnref19\">[19]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The experience of the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression provides a clear example of how civil society organizations continue to face restrictions under the NGO Law. Although the organization was officially registered in July 2023, it took nearly eleven months to activate its bank account despite possessing all required legal documents and obtaining approval from the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Private banks repeatedly refused to activate the account or requested the same documentation multiple times, while continuously seeking additional information regarding funding sources, areas of work, and the individuals responsible for managing the organization. Bank employees also indicated indirectly that the final decision did not rest solely with bank management but required approval from &#8220;other authorities,&#8221; suggesting the existence of security involvement in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">After months of correspondence, communication efforts, and intervention by public figures, the bank account was eventually activated. However, the organization then encountered a new phase of administrative obstruction when it applied for approval to receive foreign grants. The law requires Ministry\u2019s approval for any foreign funding and grants the Ministry up to 60 days to object. Although AFTE submitted all required documentation, including grant agreements, budgets, project descriptions, and internal regulations, Ministry officials refused to accept the application documents and instead required the organization to open a separate bank account for the grant, despite the absence of any such requirement in the law. After the account was opened, the Ministry requested an inspection visit. The inspection was then repeatedly delayed due to an alleged shortage of personnel. The situation later escalated to threats that State Security would be informed because the organization was allegedly &#8220;troublesome\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In November 2025, the Ministry of Social Solidarity rejected both grant applications without providing any justification, in violation of the provisions of the NGO Law. As a result, the organization filed an administrative grievance, arguing that the decision was arbitrary and lacked legal justification. However, by the time this report was published, the Ministry had not responded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The experience of the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression demonstrates how the administrative and security apparatus operating under the framework of the NGO Law has, in practice, contributed to a climate of fear and a shrinking civic space. Independent human rights organizations are deprived of essential financial resources and subjected to ongoing administrative restrictions that hinder their ability to operate effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Fourth: Universal Periodic Review: Announced Reforms and Continuing Violations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a United Nations mechanism established under UN General Assembly Resolution 60\/251 in 2006 to periodically review the human rights records of all UN member states.<a href=\"#_ftn20\" name=\"_ftnref20\">[20]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Egypt has participated regularly in the UPR process since joining the Human Rights Council and has undergone several review cycles covering a wide range of human rights issues<a href=\"#_ftn21\" name=\"_ftnref21\">[21]<\/a>. Egypt participated in its latest review in January 2025. In July 2025, the Human Rights Council adopted the final report of Egypt&#8217;s Universal Periodic Review after the Egyptian government submitted its official response and comments on the recommendations received during the review session.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Egyptian government received more than 370 recommendations from 137 countries aimed at improving the country&#8217;s human rights situation. These recommendations covered a broad range of issues, including torture, pretrial detention, enforced disappearance, asylum, and other human rights concerns. After reviewing and consolidating similar recommendations, the UPR Working Group issued a report containing 343 recommendations. According to Egypt&#8217;s official response, the government fully accepted 264 recommendations (77%), partially supported 16 recommendations (5%), and took note of 62 recommendations (18%).<a href=\"#_ftn22\" name=\"_ftnref22\">[22]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Egyptian government received a number of recommendations related to fundamental freedoms, detention conditions, women&#8217;s rights, the use of the death penalty, the protection of human rights defenders, and freedom of expression.<a href=\"#_ftn23\" name=\"_ftnref23\">[23]<\/a> In response, the government defended its human rights record, asserting that no one is detained because of their political views. It also maintained that the Counter Terrorism Law is not used against journalists or human rights defenders. Furthermore, the government denied the existence of torture in places of detention and stated that the National Council for Human Rights enjoys full independence and possesses the authority to inspect prisons. Human rights organizations participating in the UPR process, however, presented a markedly different assessment of the situation.<a href=\"#_ftn24\" name=\"_ftnref24\">[24]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">At the same time, recommendations concerning enforced disappearance received particular attention after Egypt accepted the recommendation to join to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. This was widely viewed as a notable shift from previous positions, which had been characterized by the complete denial of the existence of this practice.<a href=\"#_ftn25\" name=\"_ftnref25\">[25]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In its report entitled <em>&#8220;The Implementation Gap: Freedom of Expression Between International Recommendations and Public Policies in Egypt,&#8221;<\/em><a href=\"#_ftn26\" name=\"_ftnref26\"><em><strong>[26]<\/strong><\/em><\/a> highlighted the widening gap between Egypt&#8217;s declared international commitments and their actual implementation on the ground. The report noted that, particularly in the area of freedom of expression, restrictive legislation, administrative measures, and security practices continue to hinder the translation of international recommendations into effective public policies.<a href=\"#_ftn27\" name=\"_ftnref27\">[27]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Fifth: Parliamentary Elections: Security Agencies Shape the Political Landscape<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Egypt&#8217;s 2025 parliamentary elections took place within a highly restrictive political environment marked by years of declining political pluralism, an erosion of public sphere, and continued pressure on political parties and opposition groups. At the same time, executive and security institutions continued to expand their influence over political life. Within this context, political parties played an increasingly limited role and saw their ability to mobilize supporters and influence public affairs weaken considerably. Meanwhile, large areas of independent political and media activity remained closed, directly undermining meaningful electoral competition.<a href=\"#_ftn28\" name=\"_ftnref28\">[28]<\/a> Opportunities to run for office and compete in the elections became closely tied to arrangements and power balances established by the authorities, whether through party lists or individual candidacies.<a href=\"#_ftn29\" name=\"_ftnref29\">[29]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The closed list electoral system further reinforced this reality by creating an electoral framework whose outcomes were largely predetermined. This was particularly evident through the &#8220;National List for Egypt&#8221; alliance, which brought together pro government parties alongside several opposition parties in the absence of competing electoral lists. As a result, opposition parties were largely confined to contesting a limited number of individual seats within an electoral environment that was both restrictive and pre-determined.<a href=\"#_ftn30\" name=\"_ftnref30\">[30]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">However, despite this political closure, the elections remained politically significant, especially given the possibility of changes to the political system in the years ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The electoral process was accompanied by a widespread wave of annulled results and repeat voting in dozens of constituencies. Following the first and second rounds of voting in November 2025, the results in a significant number of districts were invalidated, and elections were rerun in multiple constituencies after a growing number of legal appeals and allegations concerning irregularities in voting and vote counting procedures.ndscape may undergo further changes in the coming years.<a href=\"#_ftn31\" name=\"_ftnref31\">[31]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The electoral process was accompanied by a widespread wave of annulled results and repeat voting in dozens of constituencies. Following the first and second rounds of voting in November 2025, the results in a significant number of districts were invalidated, and elections were rerun in multiple constituencies after a growing number of legal appeals and allegations concerning irregularities in voting and vote counting procedures. The elections also generated hundreds of appeals before the Supreme Administrative Court, causing the announcement of the final results to be delayed for several weeks. As a result, the 2025 elections became the longest electoral process in the history of Egypt&#8217;s parliamentary life.<a href=\"#_ftn32\" name=\"_ftnref32\">[32]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The repeated decisions to annul results and rerun voting intensified debate over the ability of electoral and judicial institutions to administer the process in a manner that genuinely reflected the will of voters.<a href=\"#_ftn33\" name=\"_ftnref33\">[33]<\/a> The final results also demonstrated the continued dominance of pro government parties in parliament.<a href=\"#_ftn34\" name=\"_ftnref34\">[34]<\/a> These parties secured more than 72 % of elected seats, while parties identified with the opposition obtained only limited representation. The share of independent candidates increased slightly compared with the 2020 parliamentary elections.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Nation\u2019s Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan) emerged as the dominant force in parliament, supported by the National List alliance. Opposition representation, meanwhile, remained heavily dependent on seats allocated through the list system, with only limited success in winning individual constituencies. The results also highlighted the continuing weakness of political participation. Voter turnout reached only 32.4%, renewing longstanding questions about public confidence in the electoral process amid the absence of genuine competition and recurring concerns regarding the integrity and impartiality of the elections.<a href=\"#_ftn35\" name=\"_ftnref35\">[35]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Section Two: Analysis of Patterns of Violations of Freedom of Expression<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In this section, the report moves from the broader context to documenting violations related to freedom of thought and expression across four key areas: freedom of creativity, freedom of digital expression, academic freedom and student rights, and freedom of media. These violations are not presented as isolated incidents but rather as recurring patterns that reflect systematic policies and practices.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800000;\">First: Freedom of Creativity<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">It can be argued that participants in Egypt&#8217;s cultural and artistic sectors have become increasingly inclined to adapt to existing restrictions by avoiding areas that experience has shown are likely to trigger security or censorship interventions. Nevertheless, authorities and other influential entities in the cultural sphere continued to impose restrictions on creative work. The Association documented ten violations aimed at restricting freedom of creativity and imposing limits on cultural and artistic content. The following figures illustrate the classification of violations related to freedom of creativity and artistic expression during 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><em>[Tables to be inserted here]<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Ban on Participation in the Cairo International Book Fair<\/strong>:<\/span> On December 31<sup>st<\/sup>, 2024, Dar \u201cAl Maraya\u201d for Culture and Arts announced that it had been prevented from participating in the 2025 Cairo International Book Fair. The publishing house reported that its account on the fair&#8217;s online registration platform had been unexpectedly closed, preventing them from paying exhibition fees and completing participation procedures, despite having complied with all financial and administrative requirements since its first participation in 2017. This decision came amid a broader pattern of restrictions that \u201cAl Maraya\u201d has faced in recent years.<a href=\"#_ftn36\" name=\"_ftnref36\">[36]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On January 20<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, Tanweer Publishing House announced that it had been barred from participating in the Cairo International Book Fair for the second consecutive year. No official explanation was provided regarding the reasons for the decision. The publisher stated that it had attempted to communicate with the relevant authorities, including the Egyptian Publishers Association and the General Egyptian Book Organization, but the responses remained vague and did not lead to a resolution that would allow its participation.<a href=\"#_ftn37\" name=\"_ftnref37\">[37]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Musicians Syndicate Bans Singers from Performing: <\/strong><\/span>On March 8<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Musicians Syndicate announced the suspension of singer Mostafa Zakaria Mohamed, known professionally as &#8220;Muslim,&#8221; and prohibited him from performing on the grounds that he had failed to comply with the Syndicate&#8217;s regulations. According to the Syndicate&#8217;s statement, the decision was taken after reviewing complaints submitted against the singer, resulting in the revocation of his annual performance permit.<a href=\"#_ftn38\" name=\"_ftnref38\">[38]<\/a> However, the Syndicate did not conduct a formal investigation before issuing the decision.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In a similar case, on July 21<sup>st<\/sup>, 2025, the Musicians Syndicate banned Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama from performing in Egypt and referred him for investigation after he danced with members of the audience during a concert, an act that some considered inconsistent with established norms. Following the decision, Alama contacted the Syndicate and affirmed his respect for Egyptian laws and traditions. In August 2025, the Syndicate lifted the ban after he appeared before its officials.<a href=\"#_ftn39\" name=\"_ftnref39\">[39]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Arrest of a Writer: <\/strong><\/span>In October 2025, security forces arrested writer Hani Sobhi from his home. He remained forcibly disappeared for more than 24 hours, during which his family moved between police stations and prosecution offices without being informed of his whereabouts. Sobhi later appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution, which included him in Case No. 7143 of 2025 (State Security). The prosecution ordered his detention for 15 days pending investigation.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Hani Sobhi is known for his literary work, including the short story collection <em>\u201c<\/em><em>Rouh Al<\/em> <em>Rouh<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em><em> (<\/em><em>The Soul of the Soul<\/em><em>)<\/em>, published in late 2024, and the novel <em>\u201c<\/em><em>A Coffee Shop in Shubra<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em><em>,<\/em> published in 2020.<a href=\"#_ftn40\" name=\"_ftnref40\">[40]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Refusal to Register an Actor with the Actors&#8217; Syndicate:<\/span> <\/strong>The Actors&#8217; Syndicate refused to register Ahmed Abdel Rahman as a full member of its Theatre Arts Division despite his fulfillment of the required conditions and his previous professional experience in artistic productions. The Syndicate also declined to accept his application documents. As a result, the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression filed an administrative lawsuit before the Administrative Court (Case No. 96466 of Judicial Year 79) on October 15<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025 against the Head of the Actors&#8217; Syndicate, challenging the Syndicate&#8217;s failure to register Abdel Rahman as a member. The first hearing in the case was held on December 7<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025.<a href=\"#_ftn41\" name=\"_ftnref41\">[41]<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Continued Persecution of Poet Galal El Behairy: <\/strong><\/span>On August 20<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Supreme State Security Prosecution summoned detained poet Galal El Behairy for questioning in connection with a new case. He was charged with &#8220;joining a terrorist group while aware of its objectives, committing a terrorist financing offense, and publishing and disseminating false news and information.&#8221;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On August 28<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the prosecution questioned El Behairy in a second case involving the same charges. During the investigation, he was confronted only with a National Security investigation report and no additional evidence. The prosecution ordered his detention for 15 days pending investigation, to begin following a decision in the first case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In October 2025, the Supreme State Security Prosecution referred El Behairy to criminal trial in both Case No. 2369 of 2023 (Supreme State Security) and Case No. 3391 of 2023 (Supreme State Security).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">At the time of writing this report, El Behairy remained in detention in connection with artistic works that were critical of the authorities.<a href=\"#_ftn42\" name=\"_ftnref42\">[42]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Second: Digital Freedom of Expression<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Foundation documented 296 violations related to freedom of expression in the digital sphere during 2025. The year witnessed the continued prosecution of individuals for contents published on social media platforms, including criticism of government policies and the practices of security agencies. Social media users continued to face recurring and broadly framed charges such as \u201cspreading false news,\u201d \u201cmisusing social media platforms,\u201d and \u201cjoining a terrorist organization.\u201d The following figures provide a classification of these violations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><em>Tables to be inserted here<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Targeting Citizens for Critical Online Content<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>On January 11<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, security forces arrested Mohamed Ahmed Youssef Allam after he published several videos on TikTok criticizing the President and the government\u2019s economic policies. He was taken to a National Security facility, where he was subjected to enforced disappearance for approximately nine days. During that period, he was reportedly subjected to torture, including severe beatings and electric shocks. On January 20<sup>th<\/sup>, Allam was brought before the Supreme State Security Prosecution, which charged him with, among other offenses, joining a terrorist organization and spreading false news in Case No. 9 of 2025 (Supreme State Security).<a href=\"#_ftn43\" name=\"_ftnref43\">[43]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On November 16<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, security forces arrested parliamentary candidate Mahmoud Goweily. The investigation stemmed from videos he had published on his Facebook account concerning security restrictions allegedly imposed on his electoral campaign in the constituencies of New Cairo, Badr, and El Shorouk. Goweily denied the charges against him. The Fifth Settlement Prosecution subsequently ordered his release on bail of EGP 100,000 pending investigation into accusations of \u201cspreading false news\u201d and \u201cmisusing social media platforms.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn44\" name=\"_ftnref44\">[44]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On November 3<sup>rd<\/sup>, 2025, security forces arrested preacher Mostafa El Adawy following complaints filed against him in connection with a video criticizing visits to Pharaonic archaeological sites, coinciding with the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum. The prosecution ordered his release on bail of EGP 10,000 later that same day.<a href=\"#_ftn45\" name=\"_ftnref45\">[45]<\/a> These incidents reflect the continued reliance on criminal investigation and law enforcement mechanisms in responding to critical forms of online expression, including content related to complaints about security practices and the expression of non mainstream views.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Targeting Activists and Human Rights Defenders for Online Expression<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>In January 2025, the Supreme State Security Prosecution summoned Hossam Bahgat, Executive Director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights for questioning in Case No. 6 of 2025 (Supreme State Security). The investigation followed the publication of a series of human rights reports addressing conditions of detention, pretrial detention, and the situation of women in prisons. The prosecution subsequently ordered Bahgat\u2019s release on bail of EGP 20,000. Bahgat has faced repeated questioning by authorities over recent years.<a href=\"#_ftn46\" name=\"_ftnref46\">[46]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On May 14<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Fifth Criminal Circuit of the Cairo Economic Court issued an in absentia judgment sentencing publisher Hisham Kassem to six months\u2019 imprisonment with labor, imposing a fine of EGP 20,000, and ordering him to pay EGP 40,000 in temporary civil compensation. The case stemmed from accusations of \u201cinsult,\u201d \u201cdefamation,\u201d and \u201charassment\u201d directed at former Minister of Manpower and Migration Nahed El Ashry. The ruling represents a continuation of the legal pressures and prosecutions Kassem has faced in recent years.<a href=\"#_ftn47\" name=\"_ftnref47\">[47]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On August 18<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Supreme State Security Prosecution summoned lawyer Mahienour El Masry for investigation in connection with social media posts she had shared or reposted online, including posts expressing solidarity with Palestine and others addressing cases of death in police detention facilities. The prosecution ordered her release on bail of EGP 50,000 in Case No. 6322 of 2025 (Supreme State Security).<a href=\"#_ftn48\" name=\"_ftnref48\">[48]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On August 26<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, Karim Ennarah, Director of the Criminal Justice Program at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, was arrested after refusing to allow security personnel to inspect his mobile phone at a security checkpoint without legal authorization. The Supreme State Security Prosecution investigated him in Case No. 6592 of 2025 on charges of \u201cjoining a terrorist organization,\u201d \u201cspreading false news,\u201d and \u201cusing an electronic account to commit a crime.\u201d He was subsequently released on personal guarantee. However, the asset freeze and travel ban imposed in connection with allegations dating back to 2020 remain in effect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In September 2025, prosecutors referred the case of economist and researcher Abdel Khalek Farouk to El Shorouk Misdemeanors Court under Case No. 4527 of 2025. In October, the court sentenced him to five years\u2019 imprisonment on charges of \u201cpublishing false news likely to disturb public order and harm national interests.\u201d The case was reportedly linked to articles addressing corruption and economic policy.<a href=\"#_ftn49\" name=\"_ftnref49\">[49]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On September 24<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, security forces arrested researcher Ismail Alexandrani. Following several hours of detention and questioning concerning 18 posts published on his personal Facebook account, prosecutors ordered his pretrial detention in Case No. 6469 of 2025. Alexandrani had previously spent several years in prison in Military Felony Case No. 18 of 2018 (North Cairo Military Court) on charges related to publishing information about conditions in Sinai and joining a banned organization, before being released in December 2022.<a href=\"#_ftn50\" name=\"_ftnref50\">[50]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The year 2025 also witnessed repeated summonses of political activist Ahmed Douma for investigations related to social media posts addressing prison conditions, violations against political detainees, and broader political issues. In September, the Supreme State Security Prosecution questioned him in Case No. 7701 of 2025 over a post concerning alleged abuses committed by a police officer against political prisoners. He was subsequently released on bail of EGP 50,000. In July, he was investigated in Case No. 621 of 2025 and faced charges of \u201cspreading false news and statements\u201d in connection with posts discussing road conditions and the blockade on Gaza, before again being released on the same amount of bail. This followed another case in April, in which he was released on bail of EGP 10,000 after posting allegations concerning violations inside Turra Investigation Prison.<a href=\"#_ftn51\" name=\"_ftnref51\">[51]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On May 7<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, security forces arrested film director Abdel Rahman El Ansary outside his home. He subsequently appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution, which ordered his pretrial detention in Case No. 1282 of 2024 on charges of \u201cjoining a terrorist organization,\u201d \u201cspreading false news,\u201d and \u201cmisusing social media platforms.\u201d The prosecution did not reportedly confront him with specific evidence and relied primarily on a security investigation report.<a href=\"#_ftn52\" name=\"_ftnref52\">[52]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Similarly, security forces arrested lawyer Osama El Sheshtawy in November 2025, after publishing posts alleging that he had been subjected to surveillance, alongside commentary on economic and political issues and a call for a solidarity gathering in support of an Egyptian lawyer who had reportedly been assaulted in Saudi Arabia. The prosecution ordered his pretrial detention pending investigation.<a href=\"#_ftn53\" name=\"_ftnref53\">[53]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On December 15<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, writer Ammar Ali Hassan appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution after being accused of \u201cspreading false news\u201d in Case No. 10204 of 2025. The investigation followed a complaint submitted by the Ministry of Transport concerning a critical social media post. The prosecution ordered his release on bail of EGP 20,000.<a href=\"#_ftn54\" name=\"_ftnref54\">[54]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">These incidents illustrate the continued targeting of activists, researchers, journalists, and human rights defenders in response to the peaceful expression of their views and the conduct of their human rights, research, and advocacy work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Security Targeting of Content Creators on Grounds of Violating Family Values and Public Morality<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>Throughout 2025, authorities intensified campaigns targeting content creators on social media platforms under allegations of publishing material deemed offensive to public decency or inconsistent with what authorities described as \u201cEgyptian family values.\u201d These campaigns were frequently justified on the grounds that such content was produced primarily to generate financial profit and increase online engagement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">At the end of July 2025, the Ministry of Interior announced a large scale campaign targeting a number of female content creators. The campaign was accompanied by supportive media coverage and public backing from members of parliament, particularly the House of Representatives\u2019 Communications and Information Technology Committee. Its chairperson, Ahmed Badawy, stated that the committee had participated in compiling lists of content creators against whom legal measures would be pursued.<a href=\"#_ftn55\" name=\"_ftnref55\">[55]<\/a> According to the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression\u2019s report, \u201c<em>From Family Values to Terrorism<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em>, the repeated targeting of content creators reveals a pattern characterized by rapid security intervention and the prioritization of broadly defined moral considerations.<a href=\"#_ftn56\" name=\"_ftnref56\">[56]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">These campaigns also increasingly incorporated allegations of money laundering, reflecting official concerns regarding the financial flows generated by digital platform economies.<a href=\"#_ftn57\" name=\"_ftnref57\">[57]<\/a> One of the most prominent cases involved blogger Mariam Ayman El Desouky, known online as \u201cSuzy El Urduniyya.\u201d She was arrested on February 27<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025 following a complaint filed by Al Marakez Al Arabiya Recruitment Company, which accused her of harming the company\u2019s reputation through a promotional video that allegedly contained misleading information. She was subsequently released.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In April 2025, El Desouky was arrested again after publishing a video concerning the theft of her sister\u2019s mobile phone. Authorities accused her of spreading false information and exploiting the incident to increase viewership. As part of the escalating campaign against content creators, security forces arrested her for a third time within a single year on August 2<sup>nd<\/sup>, 2025, following additional complaints related to videos she had broadcast on social media platforms.<a href=\"#_ftn58\" name=\"_ftnref58\">[58]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On August 1<sup>st<\/sup>, 2025, security forces arrested the female content creators known as \u201cOm Sagda\u201d and \u201cOm Makka\u201d following complaints alleging the publication of indecent content. The Mokattam Prosecution ordered their detention for four days pending investigation. In December 2025, the Cairo Economic Court of Appeal sentenced \u201cOm Sagda\u201d to two years\u2019 imprisonment and imposed a fine of EGP 200,000.<a href=\"#_ftn59\" name=\"_ftnref59\">[59]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">During the same period, authorities arrested TikToker Mohamed Abdel Aty, who operates the channel \u201c<em>Ma\u2018a Kamel Iht<\/em><em>e<\/em><em>ram<\/em><em>i\u201d<\/em> (With All Due Respect), on Augus 3<sup>rd,<\/sup> 2025 on charges of publishing indecent content. On November 29<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Cairo Economic Court sentenced him to two years\u2019 imprisonment and a fine of EGP 100,000 in Case No. 1918 of 2025.<a href=\"#_ftn60\" name=\"_ftnref60\">[60]<\/a> The sentence was later reduced on appeal to three months\u2019 imprisonment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Several other content creators were subjected to detention during the year, including \u201cEl Mozie\u2018 El Farfoush\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn61\" name=\"_ftnref61\">[61]<\/a> in June and two young women filmed in the Cairo Metro in April.<a href=\"#_ftn62\" name=\"_ftnref62\">[62]<\/a> Additional cases recorded in August involved female content creators accused of publishing videos deemed inappropriate or contrary to the social values. Authorities also arrested \u201cShaker,\u201d administrator of the page \u201c<em>Shaker Mahzour Delwa\u2019ty<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> (Shaker Is Currently Banned)<a href=\"#_ftn63\" name=\"_ftnref63\">[63]<\/a>, and \u201cModahem\u201d (Mohamed Khaled)<a href=\"#_ftn64\" name=\"_ftnref64\">[64]<\/a>, both of whom faced allegations of publishing content considered inconsistent with public morals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Similarly, \u201cPeter Tattoo\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn65\" name=\"_ftnref65\">[65]<\/a> was arrested following complaints alleging the publication of content contrary to public decency before being released on bail of EGP 10,000. Authorities also arrested \u201cKhaled El Rassam\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn66\" name=\"_ftnref66\">[66]<\/a> on charges related to publishing indecent content, and he remained in pretrial detention at the time of reporting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Additional cases included the arrest of \u201cHasnaa Shaaban,\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn67\" name=\"_ftnref67\">[67]<\/a> who was detained in Damietta while filming an advertisement and later released on bail, and \u201cIslam Atef,\u201d who faced accusations of broadcasting indecent content through social media platforms. The Ministry of Interior further announced the arrest of several individuals in Beni Suef and Hurghada, including content creators and caf\u00e9 employees, on allegations of publishing videos deemed offensive to public morality or inconsistent with societal values, according to official ministry statements.<a href=\"#_ftn68\" name=\"_ftnref68\">[68]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The campaign also extended to content creators in other governorates. In Alexandria, authorities arrested \u201cEl Shehta\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn69\" name=\"_ftnref69\">[69]<\/a> and \u201cHalaoulou\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn70\" name=\"_ftnref70\">[70]<\/a> in October 2025 on allegations of publishing videos containing offensive language or indecent content, while emphasizing that such material had been used to generate financial returns. On November 30<sup>th<\/sup>, \u00a02025, security forces arrested content creators Khaled El Gallad and Abdel Rahman El Khouly in Damietta following the circulation of videos analyzing water quality and food products in Egyptian markets through their online account, \u201c<em>El <\/em><em>Akilans<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em>. After investigating allegations of spreading false information and causing public alarm, prosecutors ordered their release on bail of EGP 50,000 each.<a href=\"#_ftn71\" name=\"_ftnref71\">[71]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">At the judicial level, 2025 witnessed the continued issuance of criminal judgments against content creators and bloggers on charges including \u201cviolating Egyptian family values,\u201d \u201cpromoting vice and immorality,\u201d and \u201cpublishing indecent content\u201d through social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Facebook. Penalties ranged from imprisonment to substantial financial fines, within the context of a broader campaign against content deemed by authorities to violate public morality and social norms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On January 18<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Cairo Economic Court sentenced blogger \u201cKarawan Mashakel\u201d to six months\u2019 imprisonment in Case No. 17401 of 2023 (First Settlement Misdemeanor Court) after he was accused of publishing indecent videos and inciting vice and immorality.<a href=\"#_ftn72\" name=\"_ftnref72\">[72]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On January 27<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Alexandria East Criminal Court sentenced the female blogger known as \u201cWahsh El Kaun\u201d (Monster of the Universe) to three years\u2019 imprisonment and imposed a fine of EGP 100,000 in Case No. 31125 of 2024 (Montazah First Felony Court). She was convicted on charges of human trafficking and exploiting her two daughters in the production and dissemination of videos considered indecent.<a href=\"#_ftn73\" name=\"_ftnref73\">[73]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On February 24<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Cairo Economic Court sentenced blogger \u201cRocky Ahmed\u201d to one year\u2019s imprisonment, suspended, and imposed a fine of EGP 100,000. The Cairo Economic Appeals Court later reduced the sentence to one month, also suspended.<a href=\"#_ftn74\" name=\"_ftnref74\">[74]<\/a> On March 4<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Economic Court rejected an appeal filed by blogger Hadeer Abdel Razek in Case No. 8032 of 2024 (Economic Affairs Misdemeanor Court) and upheld a one year prison sentence on charges of promoting vice and immorality, and violating Egyptian family values.<a href=\"#_ftn75\" name=\"_ftnref75\">[75]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The same period witnessed repeated prosecutions of blogger Mariam Ayman El Desouky, known as Suzy El Urduniyya. On September 25<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Economic Misdemeanor Appeals Court reduced her sentence from one year\u2019s imprisonment and a fine of EGP 100,000 to six months\u2019 imprisonment in a case involving allegations of misusing social media platforms, publishing indecent content, and violating Egyptian family values. Her defense argued that the same facts had already been adjudicated before the Child Court in Case No. 1609 of 2024 (Matareya Misdemeanor Court), contending that the renewed prosecution violated the principle prohibiting a person from being tried twice for the same act.<a href=\"#_ftn76\" name=\"_ftnref76\">[76]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On August 25<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Giza Child Misdemeanor Court sentenced content creator Saja Ashraf, known as \u201cNour Toffaha,\u201d to two years\u2019 imprisonment after finding that she had produced and published indecent videos on social media with the aim of attracting followers and generating profit.<a href=\"#_ftn77\" name=\"_ftnref77\">[77]<\/a> In addition, on November 29<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Cairo Economic Court sentenced blogger \u201cQamar El Wekala\u201d to six months\u2019 imprisonment and imposed a fine of EGP 100,000 after she was accused of publishing videos containing language and scenes deemed offensive to public decency and contrary to accepted social standards.<a href=\"#_ftn78\" name=\"_ftnref78\">[78]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">These cases illustrate the continued reliance on criminal prosecution and judicial sanctions to regulate online content through broad concepts such as public morality, family values, and social norms. The increasing use of such charges against content creators reflects an expanding pattern of state intervention in digital expression and online cultural production.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Targeting Children for Their Digital Activity<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>In December 2025, the Banha Juvenile Court sentenced two children to ten years\u2019 imprisonment in Case No. 4240 of 2024 after convicting them on terrorism related charges linked to alleged digital activity. The ruling drew significant criticism from human rights organizations due to concerns regarding the absence of fair trial guarantees. According to available information, the court neither heard testimony from the two children nor allowed the defense to present its arguments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The case dates back to 2024, when the two children, both under the age of eighteen at the time, were arrested and transferred to New Cairo, where they were investigated by the Supreme State Security Prosecution rather than the competent juvenile prosecution office. This deprived them of the procedural safeguards afforded to children under Egyptian law. Prosecutors charged one of the children with establishing and leading a terrorist organization, while the other was accused of joining it. Both also faced accusations of financing the organization and engaging in criminal conspiracy, despite the fact that the case involved only the two children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">One of the two children, a U.S. citizen of Egyptian origin, was subjected to enforced disappearance for more than two weeks after being arrested while spending his summer vacation with his family in Egypt. He later appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution.<a href=\"#_ftn79\" name=\"_ftnref79\">[79]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">This case forms part of a broader pattern documented by human rights organizations concerning the targeting of children for their online activities through electronic gaming platforms. Human rights groups reported that at least 15 children between the ages of 12 and 17 were arrested within a single year on terrorism related charges linked to their communications through online games such as PUBG.<a href=\"#_ftn80\" name=\"_ftnref80\">[80]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">It is worth noting that 2025 also witnessed a marked escalation in judicial and security measures affecting freedom of religion, belief, and religious expression in Egypt, either through prosecutions for alleged contempt of religion, the targeting of individuals for expressing views concerning religious matters, or actions against members of unrecognized religious groups.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On February 9<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Boulaq El Dakrour Misdemeanor Court sentenced YouTuber Ahmed El Sayed El Mandouh, known online as \u201cAhmed Spider,\u201d to three years\u2019 imprisonment in Case No. 27319 of 2024 after convicting him of contempt of Islam and mocking Islamic Sharee\u2019ah.<a href=\"#_ftn81\" name=\"_ftnref81\">[81]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In June 2025, the Court of Cassation upheld a judgment against Kirollos Nashed, an assistant lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering of Menoufia University. The court affirmed a six month suspended prison sentence, a fine of EGP 100,000, and compensation of EGP 20,000, following accusations of deliberately disturbing Bishop Benjamin of Menoufia and misusing means of communication.<a href=\"#_ftn82\" name=\"_ftnref82\">[82]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On August 30<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Economic Court sentenced YouTuber Hisham El Masry to six months\u2019 imprisonment, imposed a fine of EGP 20,000, and ordered him to pay EGP 10,000 in civil compensation on charges of misusing social media platforms. The case originated from Complaint No. 23151 of 2024, in which a lawyer accused El Masry of contempt of religions.<a href=\"#_ftn83\" name=\"_ftnref83\">[83]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Blogger Sherif Gaber was arrested in November 2025 and appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution on December 29<sup>th<\/sup>, following a period of enforced disappearance. Prosecutors charged him with \u201cjoining a group established in violation of the law\u201d and \u201ccontempt of religions.\u201d Gaber had previously been convicted in three similar cases, the most recent of which resulted in a five year prison sentence issued in 2024.<a href=\"#_ftn84\" name=\"_ftnref84\">[84]<\/a> In a similar case, security forces arrested Augustinus Sam\u2019aan at his home on October 1<sup>st<\/sup>, 2025 and subjected him to enforced disappearance for nine days before presenting him before the Basateen Prosecution in Case No. 21896 of 2025 (Basateen Misdemeanor Court). On January 3<sup>rd<\/sup>, 2026, he was sentenced to five years\u2019 imprisonment with labor on charges of contempt of religions.<a href=\"#_ftn85\" name=\"_ftnref85\">[85]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On September 13<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, authorities arrested Maged Zakaria Abdel Rahman, known online as \u201cMufti Al Insaneyya\u201d, (The Mufti of Humanity), who appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution ten days after his arrest. Investigations also extended to several individuals who had appeared on his YouTube program or published content through online groups, including the \u201cArab Atheists Network and Forum.\u201d These cases were investigated under Case No. 6954 of 2025 (Supreme State Security).<a href=\"#_ftn86\" name=\"_ftnref86\">[86]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">March 2025 also witnessed a security campaign targeting followers of the \u201cAhmadi Religion of Peace and Light.\u201d The campaign resulted in the arrest of at least 17 followers across several governorates, including Syrian refugees. In April, a number of those arrested appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution in Case No. 2025 of 2025, where they were charged with \u201cjoining a group established in violation of the law.\u201d<a href=\"#_ftn87\" name=\"_ftnref87\">[87]<\/a> Similarly, security forces arrested at least 14 non religious individuals or persons holding non mainstream beliefs because of opinions they had expressed on social media platforms. Several were subjected to enforced disappearance before appearing before the Supreme State Security Prosecution, which brought against them the same charges under Case No. 6954 of 2025.<a href=\"#_ftn88\" name=\"_ftnref88\">[88]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Third: Academic Freedom and Student Rights<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The year 2025 witnessed the continued targeting of academics, researchers, and former student leaders. The Foundation documented six violations, including referrals to criminal trials in cases with political and security nature, disciplinary and administrative measures within universities, and restrictions on academic and professional opportunities justified on the basis of alleged \u201csecurity objections.\u201d The following charts provide a classification of these violations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><em>Tables to be inserted here<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Continued Targeting of Researchers Residing Abroad<\/strong>:<\/span> The Supreme State Security Prosecution referred researcher Taqadom El Khatib, along with several co defendants, to criminal trial in Case No. 29 of 2025 (Fifth Settlement Felony Court) on charges of joining a terrorist organization and participating in a criminal conspiracy. El Khatib has lived outside Egypt since August 2013; however, he has been subjected to a series of arbitrary measures since 2017. These measures included the termination of his doctoral scholarship, followed by the termination of his employment at his university in Egypt. A judicial ruling subsequently required him to repay the value of the scholarship to the state treasury. He has also faced persistent administrative and legal obstacles in obtaining official documents, including a passport and national identity card.<a href=\"#_ftn89\" name=\"_ftnref89\">[89]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Referral of Academic Ahmed El<\/strong><strong> T<\/strong><strong>uhami to Criminal Trial<\/strong><\/span><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">:<\/span>\u00a0 <\/strong>Ahmed El Tuhami, who has remained in pretrial detention for several years, faces charges including joining a terrorist organization, spreading false news and statements, and misusing social media platforms. The charges are linked to his academic work on issues of democratic transition. On January 13<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Supreme State Security Prosecution referred him to criminal trial on charges of assuming a leadership role within a terrorist organization and participating in a criminal agreement intended to facilitate the commission of a terrorist offense. On December 17<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Second Terrorism Circuit of the Criminal Court postponed consideration of the case until February 7<sup>th<\/sup>, 2026 due to the authorities\u2019 failure to transfer him from his place of detention to the court.<a href=\"#_ftn90\" name=\"_ftnref90\">[90]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>University Professor Referred for Investigation over Media Program<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>On March 2025, Al Azhar University referred Dr. Mabrouk Attia, Professor Emeritus of Linguistics at the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies for Men in Cairo, for investigation in connection with his Ramadan program <em>\u201c<\/em><em>Kalam Mabrouk<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em><em>,<\/em> which is broadcast through social media platforms. The referral followed widespread controversy surrounding the program\u2019s hosting of several actors and singers.<a href=\"#_ftn91\" name=\"_ftnref91\">[91]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Cairo University Refuses Teaching Assistant Appointment on Security Grounds<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>The Faculty of Dentistry at Cairo University declined to appoint a graduate represented by the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression as a teaching assistant, citing an alleged \u201csecurity objection,\u201d despite her fulfillment of all legal requirements for appointment. In response, the Association filed Administrative Court Appeal No. 5117 of Judicial Year 71 against Cairo University and the Faculty of Dentistry, challenging the decision to bypass her appointment. The court repeatedly adjourned the case until January 28<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, when it issued a judgment annulling the university\u2019s decision. The court affirmed that an individual who has satisfied all legally prescribed requirements may not be denied appointment on security grounds. Despite the ruling, Cairo University failed to implement the judgment and instead filed an appeal on December 28<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025 before the Appellate Administrative Circuit in Appeal No. 4545 of Judicial Year 75, seeking its reversal.<a href=\"#_ftn92\" name=\"_ftnref92\">[92]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Continued Targeting of Former Student Leader Moaz El<\/strong><strong> Sharkawy<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>On June 24<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Second Terrorism Circuit at the Badr Courts Complex sentenced former Tanta University student leader Moaz El Sharkawy to ten years of rigorous imprisonment alongside 19 other defendants, several of which received life sentences after being convicted of joining a terrorist organization and financing terrorism in Case No. 13330 of 2023 (Marg Felony Court). The court additionally ordered El Sharkawy\u2019s inclusion on the official terrorist entities list in lieu of imposing another supplementary penalty, such as post release police supervision for a period of five years<a href=\"#_ftn93\" name=\"_ftnref93\">[93]<\/a>. El Sharkawy has been subjected to a prolonged pattern of violations and prosecutions linked to his student and political activities at university, a pattern that dates back to April 2018.<a href=\"#_ftn94\" name=\"_ftnref94\">[94]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">These cases reflect the continued restrictions imposed on academic freedom and student rights in Egypt. They further illustrate the persistence of security based interventions affecting academic careers, research activities, university appointments, and student activism, often through criminal proceedings, disciplinary measures, or administrative decisions justified on security grounds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Fourth: Freedom of the Media<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">During 2025, the report documented 171 violations affecting freedom of the media. These violations took multiple forms targeting journalists and independent media outlets through a variety of mechanisms, including the blocking of independent news websites, the increasing intervention of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation through fines, suspension orders, and bans on media appearances, as well as the continuation of judicial and security related measures against journalists in connection with their reporting. The year also witnessed incidents involving restrictions on field coverage during elections and official events. The following figures provide a classification of these violations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><em>Tables to be inserted here<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Blocking of News Websites<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>On February 15<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the independent news platform \u201c<em>Zawia Thalitha<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> (Third Angle) announced that it had become inaccessible from within Egypt. After several days of technical verification, the website confirmed that it had been subjected to blocking measures. According to the outlet, the blocking was implemented through a different technical method than those previously documented, namely a \u201creset attack,\u201d which intermittently and randomly disrupts users\u2019 connections to the website, preventing access on a recurring basis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><em>Zawia Thalitha<\/em> is an independent media platform that publishes reports and investigative journalism covering political, economic, and social issues of analytical nature. <a href=\"#_ftn95\" name=\"_ftnref95\">[95]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Escalating Intervention by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation in Media Content<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>The year 2025 witnessed a marked increase in the intervention of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation against television channels, media programs, broadcasters, and content creators. These measures were justified on the basis of alleged violations of media regulations, professional standards, and codes governing media activity, particularly in sports broadcasting, talk shows, and content disseminated through social media platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On March 4<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Supreme Council for Media Regulation imposed a fine of EGP 100,000 on Al Ahly TV and ordered the suspension of the program \u201c<em>Hares Al Ahly<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> (The Keeper of Al Ahly) for two weeks. The Council also prohibited broadcaster Ahmed Shobier from appearing on air during the same period. The decision was based on recommendations issued by the Complaints Committee and findings reported by the General Monitoring Department regarding alleged media violations. Two days later, the Council issued a similar decision against Al Shams TV, imposing a fine of EGP 100,000, suspending the program <em>Mal\u2018ab Al Shams<\/em> (Al Shams Pitch) for one month, and banning its presenter, Ahmed El Sherif, from appearing in the media for the same period. The Council additionally warned the channel that its broadcasting license could be revoked in the event of repeated violations.<a href=\"#_ftn96\" name=\"_ftnref96\">[96]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On 17 March 2025, the Council expanded its disciplinary measures by imposing an additional fine of EGP 50,000 on Al Shams TV in connection with an episode of the program \u201c<em>As\u2018ab So\u2019<\/em><em>a<\/em><em>al<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em>(The Toughest Question). The Council further prohibited guest Hany ElSalhy from appearing on all satellite television channels and referred alleged violations attributed to broadcaster Musab ElAbbasy to the Media Syndicate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Council also imposed a fine of EGP 75,000 on Sada El Balad TV and suspended the program \u201c<em>El<\/em> <em>Match<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> for one month. In addition, it issued a warning to Al Nahar TV and imposed a fine of EGP 100,000 over content broadcast through the program \u201cE<em>l<\/em> <em>Arrafa<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> (The Fortune Teller). The Council\u2019s actions further included summoning representatives of several television channels and online platforms, including the Egyptian Volleyball Federation\u2019s YouTube channel and the television channel \u201c<em>Hiya<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em><em>.<a href=\"#_ftn97\" name=\"_ftnref97\"><strong>[97]<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Additional summonses were directed to officials from Al Shams TV, Zamalek TV, and TEN TV, as well as the YouTube program \u201c<em>Negm El<\/em> <em>Gamahir<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> (The Fans\u2019 Star), presented by Abu El Maati Zaki. The Council also held a hearing with content creator Ahmed Fakhry El Hassani following a complaint submitted by the Ministry of Finance.<a href=\"#_ftn98\" name=\"_ftnref98\">[98]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">During the second half of the year, the Council expanded its interventions to include the social media accounts of prominent media figures. On November 17<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Complaints Committee summoned the administrators of the social media accounts of broadcasters Basma Wahba and Yasmine El Khatib, as well as the YouTube account of Abu El Maati Zaki and representatives of TEN TV, in connection with content broadcast through the program \u201c<em>El Primo\u201d<\/em>. On November 20<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Supreme Council for Media Regulation ratified a decision prohibiting both Basma Wahba and Yasmine El Khatib from appearing across all media outlets subject to Law No. 180 of 2018 for a period of three months. The Council also issued formal warnings concerning their social media accounts. Subsequently, on November 25<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Council imposed a fine of EGP 50,000 on TEN TV over content aired through <em>El Primo<\/em>, while banning both Reda Abdel Aal and Abu El Maati Zaki from appearing in the media for two months. It also issued warnings to the social media accounts associated with <em>Negm El<\/em> <em>Gamahir<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On 9 December 2025, the Complaints Committee summoned the individual responsible for managing Khaled Talaat\u2019s Facebook account following a complaint submitted by Zamalek Sporting Club.<a href=\"#_ftn99\" name=\"_ftnref99\">[99]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Parallel to the measures adopted by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, the year also witnessed interventions by the Media Syndicate. On March 13<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Syndicate suspended broadcaster Ehab El Koumy from practicing media activities for a period of three weeks following an investigation that concluded he had violated the Media Code of Ethics and the Professional Code of Conduct. The Syndicate also summoned broadcaster Khairy Ramadan for questioning on June 19<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025 based on a report issued by the Media Observatory, which alleged professional violations in an episode of his program \u201c<em>Ma\u2018a Khairy<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> (With Khairy) broadcast on Mehwar TV.<a href=\"#_ftn100\" name=\"_ftnref100\">[100]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">According to a report published by the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression entitled <em>\u201cThe Complaints Committee of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation and Restrictive Interventions Affecting Media Freedom and Digital Expression,\u201d<\/em> these incidents reflect the expanding scope of regulatory oversight over media and digital content during 2025. The report highlights the growing reliance on measures such as financial penalties, program suspensions, bans on media appearances, and the summoning of content creators and media professionals, indicating an increasingly interventionist approach to the regulation of both traditional and digital forms of expression.<a href=\"#_ftn101\" name=\"_ftnref101\">[101]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Continued Prosecution of Journalists<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>The year 2025 witnessed the continued use of security and judicial measures against journalists and media professionals in connection with their professional activities and content published through media outlets and social media platforms. Recurring accusations included \u201cspreading false news,\u201d \u201cjoining a terrorist organization,\u201d and \u201coperating a website without a license.\u201d Human rights organizations continued to express concern over the expanding use of such charges in cases \u00a0involving publication-related activities and journalistic work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On January 15<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, security forces arrested Ahmed Serag, a journalist with the news platform \u201c<em>Th<\/em><em>at Masr<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em>, following a journalistic interview he conducted with Nada Mogheith, the wife of cartoonist Ashraf Omar, who had been held in pretrial detention since July 2024. The Supreme State Security Prosecution charged Serag with \u201cjoining a terrorist organization,\u201d \u201cspreading false news,\u201d \u201cusing a website to promote terrorist ideas,\u201d and \u201ccommitting a financing related crime.\u201d The prosecution subsequently ordered his pretrial detention in Case No. 7 of 2025 (Supreme State Security).<a href=\"#_ftn102\" name=\"_ftnref102\">[102]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In February 2025, Libyan activist and broadcaster Nasser Al Hawari was subjected to enforced disappearance after being arrested by plainclothes security personnel outside his family\u2019s residence in Alexandria. Authorities did not disclose his whereabouts or permit communication with his family. His arrest occurred only hours after he had broadcast an episode addressing alleged abuses against detainees in eastern Libya under the control of forces affiliated with Khalifa Haftar.<a href=\"#_ftn103\" name=\"_ftnref103\">[103]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In May 2025, the Supreme State Security Prosecution summoned journalist Rasha Kandil for questioning in Case No. 4169 of 2025 (Supreme State Security) on charges of \u201cbroadcasting and publishing false news domestically and abroad.\u201d The investigation focused on articles and social media posts addressing political and economic developments. Following approximately eight hours of questioning, the prosecution ordered her release on bail of EGP 50,000.<a href=\"#_ftn104\" name=\"_ftnref104\">[104]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On \u00a0May 14<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, journalist Seham Magdy was detained for several hours following a complaint accusing her of insult and defamation based on a comment she had posted in a Facebook group for journalists. According to her, she was taken to El Zawya EL Hamra Police Station without the presentation of an arrest warrant or official summons. She was released late at night following the intervention of Journalists Syndicate President Khaled El Balshy and several members of the Syndicate\u2019s board.<a href=\"#_ftn105\" name=\"_ftnref105\">[105]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In June 2025, the Dokki Prosecution investigated journalists Mahmoud Sabra and Mahmoud El Dabaa in Case No. 3794 of 2025 (Dokki Administrative Case) following a complaint submitted by businessman Ahmed Abou Hashima. The complaint accused them of \u201cspreading false news and defamation\u201d in relation to reports published by \u201c<em>Al<\/em> <em>Safha Al<\/em> <em>Oula<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> (The First Page). The prosecution ordered their release on financial guarantees ranging from EGP 5,000 to EGP 10,000.<a href=\"#_ftn106\" name=\"_ftnref106\">[106]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">August 2025, witnessed the summoning of Lina Attalah, Editor in Chief of <em>Mada Masr<\/em> for questioning before the Supreme State Security Prosecution in Case No. 6182 of 2025. The investigation stemmed from a report entitled <em>\u201c<\/em><em>Badr 3: Where Prisoners Face a Slow Death,\u201d<\/em> which examined complaints regarding conditions inside Badr 3 Prison. Prosecutors charged Attalah with \u201coperating a website without a license\u201d and \u201cpublishing false news with the intent of undermining stability.\u201d She was subsequently released on bail of EGP 30,000.<a href=\"#_ftn107\" name=\"_ftnref107\">[107]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In October, security forces rearrested journalist Safaa El Korbeigy less than one year after her release from a previous period of pretrial detention. The Supreme State Security Prosecution investigated her in Case No. 7256 of 2025 on charges including \u201cjoining a terrorist organization\u201d and \u201cspreading false news.\u201d The investigation was reportedly based on a Facebook post discussing the displacement of residents from parts of Matrouh Governorate. During the same month, prosecutors summoned journalist Mohamed Taher of \u201c<em>Al<\/em> <em>Akhbar Al<\/em> <em>Masa\u2019I<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> for questioning regarding a complaint linked to his reporting on the alleged theft of a bracelet from the Egyptian Museum. He was later released on bail of EGP 2,000.<a href=\"#_ftn108\" name=\"_ftnref108\">[108]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In December, security forces arrested journalist Ahmed Refaat, Editor in Chief of the news website <em>Egyptec<\/em>, and Monzer El Khalali, Chairman of the company that owns the website, following raids on their homes. The arrests were linked to a complaint concerning the publication of statements attributed to the head of the Poultry Division regarding the circulation of spoiled poultry products. Prosecutors charged Refaat with \u201cspreading false news,\u201d while El Khalali faced an additional accusation of \u201coperating a website without a license.\u201d Both were released on bail of EGP 20,000 each.<a href=\"#_ftn109\" name=\"_ftnref109\">[109]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Restrictions on Media Coverage<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>The year 2025 witnessed multiple incidents in which journalists were prevented from conducting field reporting or faced restrictions while covering public events, elections, and official visits. These incidents reflect the continuing obstacles encountered by journalists in the course of their professional work. On February 22<sup>nd<\/sup>, 2025, journalist Hatem Dawoud, a correspondent for <em>Masr Times<\/em> in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate, was prevented from conducting an interview with the newly appointed Governor of Kafr El Sheikh, Eng. Ibrahim Makki, despite having received an official invitation to attend an introductory meeting between the governor and a number of journalists.<a href=\"#_ftn110\" name=\"_ftnref110\">[110]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On February 27<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, journalist Sameh El Mughazy of \u201c<em>Veto<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> newspaper was prevented from covering elections for the Sharqia Engineers Syndicate branch after the official supervising the electoral process insisted on prohibiting photography inside polling stations, permitting journalists to film only in their immediate surroundings.<a href=\"#_ftn111\" name=\"_ftnref111\">[111]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Journalist Ahmed Raafat, a correspondent for \u201c<em>Cairo 24<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> in Minya Governorate, was also subjected to harassment by officials from a ministerial office after publishing coverage that was reportedly viewed unfavorably by the ministry. He was instructed to leave the hospital where the event was taking place and was prevented from completing his reporting assignment. Following expressions of solidarity from fellow journalists, the Deputy Governor later issued an apology regarding the incident.<a href=\"#_ftn112\" name=\"_ftnref112\">[112]<\/a> On August 7<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, a photographer working for <em>Cairo 24<\/em> was prevented from covering the closing ceremony of the National Festival of Egyptian Theatre.<a href=\"#_ftn113\" name=\"_ftnref113\">[113]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Parliamentary elections held during the year also witnessed repeated incidents involving restrictions on journalistic coverage inside polling stations. On November 25<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, journalist Dina Samir was prevented from photographing inside an electoral committee in the city of Belqas, Dakahlia Governorate, and on December 4<sup>th<\/sup>, 2025, the Journalists Syndicate announced that it had received dozens of complaints from journalists covering parliamentary elections across several governorates. The complaints concerned restrictions on access to polling stations and prohibitions on photography inside them, despite journalists holding accreditation permits issued by the National Election Authority.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">In Alexandria Governorate, several journalists, including Khaled El Amir, a journalist with <em>Veto<\/em> newspaper and a member of the local Syndicate council, reported being expelled from certain polling stations after the governor had departed, with media coverage subsequently restricted to areas outside the polling centers.<a href=\"#_ftn114\" name=\"_ftnref114\">[114]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Assaults on Journalists While Performing Their Work<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/span>The year 2025 witnessed a number of incidents involving assaults on, and restrictions against, journalists and correspondents while carrying out field reporting. On August 5<sup>th<\/sup>, during the second day of the Senate elections, journalist and correspondent Bishoy Edward was assaulted while covering the electoral process outside the Mahmoud Karim polling station in the Smouha district of Alexandria. He stated that an individual affiliated with the \u201cNation\u2019s Future Party\u201d attempted to prevent him from filming, pushed him away, and subsequently physically assaulted him.<a href=\"#_ftn115\" name=\"_ftnref115\">[115]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On October 3<sup>rd<\/sup>, freelance journalist Remon Francis El Masry, a person with a disability, was subjected to an assault and the confiscation of his mobile phone while covering the activities of the Alexandria Film Festival. He subsequently filed a police report, registered under No. 1143 of 2025 at Sidi Gaber Police Station, requesting an investigation into the incident and a review of the hotel&#8217;s surveillance camera footage.<a href=\"#_ftn116\" name=\"_ftnref116\">[116]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On December 25<sup>th<\/sup>, Heba Sobieh, a correspondent for <em>\u201c<\/em><em>Al<\/em> <em>Watan<\/em><em>\u201d<\/em> newspaper in Port Said Governorate, was assaulted while covering an inspection tour by the Minister of Local Development and the Governor of Port Said at the El Hamidi and El Tegary markets. The journalist stated that a member of the minister&#8217;s security forcefully pushed her while she was conducting a live broadcast.<a href=\"#_ftn117\" name=\"_ftnref117\">[117]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The foregoing demonstrates that violations of the right to freedom of expression continue to be committed by the authorities and affect a variety of professional sectors and geographic areas. This reflects the scale of the ongoing human rights crisis, which cannot be adequately addressed through cosmetic measures alone, such as the adoption of a National Human Rights Strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #800000;\"><strong>Conclusion and Recommendations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A review of the incidents highlighted and documented in this report reveals a systematic and ongoing pattern of restrictions on freedom of expression and other fundamental rights in Egypt during 2025. Despite certain seemingly positive procedural steps, such as reconsideration of the Criminal Procedures Law and the acceptance of some recommendations made during the Universal Periodic Review process, the human rights situation on the ground remains far removed from genuine reform. Accordingly, the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression puts forward the following recommendations:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Security agencies should cease practices of mass surveillance and the arrest of individuals on the basis of expressing critical opinions through the internet and social media platforms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Public Prosecution should order the release of individuals held in pretrial detention in cases involving freedom of expression, particularly children, journalists, and content creators, and should ensure that decisions renewing pretrial detention do not become a form of punishment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Supreme Council for Media Regulation and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority should ensure the lifting of blocks imposed on news websites and guarantee internet users\u2019 access to them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Egyptian Parliament should review the new Criminal Procedures Law in a manner that addresses the practice of \u201crotation\u201d (<em>tadweer<\/em>) and establishes a genuine maximum limit for pretrial detention.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Ministry of Social Solidarity should remove all bureaucratic and security related obstacles imposed on independent civil society organizations, including delays in opening bank accounts and restrictions on approving foreign grants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Administrations of public universities should cease referring the files of academic staff members to security agencies for screening prior to their appointment and should comply with the executive procedures stipulated in the Universities Organization Law.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Professional artistic syndicates should cease issuing decisions that prevent artists from practicing their profession and should refrain from transforming their legal powers into a tool for restricting freedom of artistic expression.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<pre><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> \"President Abdel Fattah El Sisi issues the new Criminal Procedures Law after it was approved by the House of Representatives and after the objections to it had been addressed,\" according to the official spokesperson for the Presidency. <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/4f6v2dt8\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/4f6v2dt8<\/a><\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong>Shaimaa<\/strong><strong> Hamdy<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0<em>\u201cEmergency Parliamentary Session: The Criminal Procedures Law Returns for Discussion by Order of the President.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<strong>Zawia Thalitha (Third Angle<\/strong><strong>)<\/strong>, September 27, 2025. <a href=\"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/criminal-procedure-law-2\/\">https:\/\/zawia3.com\/criminal-procedure-law-2\/<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mahmoud <\/strong><strong>El Tabbakh<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0<em>\u201cThe New Criminal Procedures Law in Egypt \u2013 Why All This Controversy?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<strong>Deutsche Welle (DW)<\/strong>, October 23, 2025. <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/yf7vs825\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/yf7vs825<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref2\" name=\"_ftn2\">[2]<\/a> <strong>Tarek Gamal Hafez<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0<em>\u201cMass Referrals: Egypt\u2019s Terrorism Courts Confront More Than 8,000 Defendants.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<strong>Zawia Thalitha<\/strong> <strong>(Third Angle<\/strong><strong>)<\/strong>, February 10, 2025.\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/referrals\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">https:\/\/zawia3.com\/referrals\/<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>\"Referral of hundreds of citizens who had been detained for long periods<\/strong><strong>,\"<\/strong>\u00a0<em>Egyptian Front for Human Rights<\/em>, 26 January 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/32tjct9a\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/32tjct9a<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref3\" name=\"_ftn3\">[3]<\/a> <strong>Shaimaa Hamdy<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong><strong> \u201cEmergency Parliamentary Session: The Criminal Procedure Law Returns for Discussion by Order of the President,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0<em>Ibid<\/em>.\r\n\r\n<strong>\u201cEgypt: Reject the Draft Criminal Procedure Law,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0<em>Amnesty International<\/em>, 2 October 2024,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/ar\/latest\/news\/2024\/10\/egypt-reject-draft-criminal-procedure-code\/\">https:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/ar\/latest\/news\/2024\/10\/egypt-reject-draft-criminal-procedure-code\/<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref4\" name=\"_ftn4\">[4]<\/a> Egypt \u2013 UN Concern Over the Draft Criminal Procedures Law, United Nations, 13 May 2025,\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/news.un.org\/ar\/story\/2025\/05\/1141466\">https:\/\/news.un.org\/ar\/story\/2025\/05\/1141466<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u201cConcerns Regarding the Draft Criminal Procedures Law in Egypt\u201d, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), 13 May 2025,\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/ar\/press-briefing-notes\/2025\/05\/egypt-concerns-over-draft-code-criminal-procedure\">https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/ar\/press-briefing-notes\/2025\/05\/egypt-concerns-over-draft-code-criminal-procedure<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref5\" name=\"_ftn5\">[5]<\/a> \u201cEgypt: Reject the Draft Criminal Procedures Law,\u201d\u00a0Amnesty International,\u00a0ibid.\r\n\r\n Shaimaa Hamdy, \u201cEmergency Parliamentary Session: The Criminal Procedures Law Returns for Debate by Presidential Order,\u201d\u00a0ibid.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref6\" name=\"_ftn6\">[6]<\/a> <strong>\u201cMemorandum Challenging the Constitutionality of the Amendments to the Criminal Procedures Law Concerning the Recording of Conversations in Private Places (Articles 80 and 117),\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0, 24 November 2025.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/masaar.net\/ar\/unconstitutionality-of-articles-80-and-117-criminal-procedure\/\">https:\/\/masaar.net\/ar\/unconstitutionality-of-articles-80-and-117-criminal-procedure\/<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref7\" name=\"_ftn7\">[7]<\/a> \u201cThe Journalists Syndicate\u2019s Observations on the Draft Criminal Procedures Law,\u201d\u00a0Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, 12 September 2024,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/mudwy9zp\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/mudwy9zp<\/a>.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe \u2018Towards a Fair Criminal Procedures Law\u2019 Campaign: Our Position on the Amendments to the Criminal Procedures Law,\u201d\u00a0Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, 18 October 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/5hdhkc7z\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/5hdhkc7z<\/a>.\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref8\" name=\"_ftn8\">[8]<\/a> <strong>\u201cJoint Statement: Civil Society Organizations Welcome the Decision Not to Ratify the Draft Criminal Procedures Law,\u201d<\/strong> 23 September 2025.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/ar\/documents\/mde12\/0339\/2025\/ar\/\">https:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/ar\/documents\/mde12\/0339\/2025\/ar\/<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref9\" name=\"_ftn9\">[9]<\/a> Ahmed Khalifa, \u201cA Year of Anger: The Significance of 100 Labor Protests in 2025,\u201d\u00a05 January 2026,\r\n\r\n\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/stories\/29348\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/stories\/29348<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u201cLabor Protests in 2025: A Human Rights Perspective,\u201d\u00a014 January 2026.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/masr360.net\/2026\/01\/14\/dam-report-labor-protests-egypt-2025-statistics-wages-strikes\/\">https:\/\/masr360.net\/2026\/01\/14\/dam-report-labor-protests-egypt-2025-statistics-wages-strikes\/<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u201cProtests in 2025: More Oppression, More Resistance,\u201d, Al Ishtraky, 13 February 2026.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/2p9rt6ej\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/2p9rt6ej<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref10\" name=\"_ftn10\">[10]<\/a> Ibid\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref11\" name=\"_ftn11\">[11]<\/a> \u201cCount of Peaceful Events in Egypt 2025 (Policy Brief),\u201d\u00a0Open Data Tank (ODT),\u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/opendatatank.org\/egypt-event-catalogue-2025-policybrief-ar\/\">https:\/\/opendatatank.org\/egypt-event-catalogue-2025-policybrief-ar\/<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref12\" name=\"_ftn12\">[12]<\/a> Ibid\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref13\" name=\"_ftn13\">[13]<\/a> \u201cEgypt: \u2018Justice Committee\u2019 monitors a hunger strike by politically detained prisoners inside \u201810th of Ramadan Prison\u2019 and calls for a positive response to their legitimate demands,\u201d\u00a0Justice Committee, 16 January 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/25sp4a4k\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/25sp4a4k<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>\u201cStatement on Prison Conditions Over Two Years,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, 8 February 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/3jf283r6\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/3jf283r6<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>\u201cHunger strike and refusal to receive meals at 10th of Ramadan Prison in protest against prolonged pretrial detention and poor detention conditions,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, 12 January 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/bdkf5kdx\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/bdkf5kdx<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Mohamed El-Khouly, \u201cStarted 287 days ago\u2026 Laila Soueif ends her hunger strike,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Al Manassa, 14 July 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/25638\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/25638<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref14\" name=\"_ftn14\">[14]<\/a> 2025 Protests, more oppression, more resistance, Al Ishtraky, Ibid.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref15\" name=\"_ftn15\">[15]<\/a> Fatma Nasr, \u201cAn Infant Dies Inside a Factory in Alexandria\u2026 Mother Recounts Shocking Details,\u201d\u00a0Telegraph Egypt, 13 September 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/3zxsyehb\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/3zxsyehb<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref16\" name=\"_ftn16\">[16]<\/a> \u201cLaw No. 149 of 2019 Regulating the Exercise of Civil Work (NGO Law),\u201d\u00a0Manshurat Legal Publication, <a href=\"https:\/\/manshurat.org\/node\/61248\">https:\/\/manshurat.org\/node\/61248<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>\u201cEgypt: Draconian Restrictions on Independent Civil Society Organizations Must Be Repealed,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Amnesty International, 25 November 2025. <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/ymhpxu79\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/ymhpxu79<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref17\" name=\"_ftn17\">[17]<\/a> <strong>Mohamed Awad, \u201cThe End of the \u2018Foreign Funding Case\u2019 After 13 Years of Repression,\u201d <\/strong>\u00a0The Legal Agenda, 12 April 2024. <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/56zmta33\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/56zmta33<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref18\" name=\"_ftn18\">[18]<\/a> <strong>Hassan Mussaad, \u201cThe New NGO Law: Cosmetic Amendments to Improve Egypt\u2019s International Image?\u201d<\/strong>, The legal Agenda, 10 September 2019. <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/YU4kK\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/YU4kK<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>\u201cLaw No. 149 of 2019 Regulating the Exercise of Civil Work (NGO Law),\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0<em>Ibid..<\/em>\r\n\r\n<strong>\u201cThe Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Manshurat Legal publications,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/manshurat.org\/node\/14675\">https:\/\/manshurat.org\/node\/14675<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref19\" name=\"_ftn19\">[19]<\/a> <strong>\u201cLaw No. 149 of 2019 Regulating the Exercise of Civil Work (NGO Law),\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Manshurat Legal Publications,\u00a0<em>Ibid<\/em>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref20\" name=\"_ftn20\">[20]<\/a> <strong>\u201cUniversal Periodic Review (UPR),\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0United Nations Human Rights Council, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/ar\/hr-bodies\/upr\/upr-home\">https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/ar\/hr-bodies\/upr\/upr-home<\/a>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref21\" name=\"_ftn21\">[21]<\/a> \u201cUniversal Periodic Review\u200b \u2013 Egypt\u201d, Human Rights Council, United Nations,\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/en\/hr-bodies\/upr\/eg-index\">https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/en\/hr-bodies\/upr\/eg-index<\/a>\u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref22\" name=\"_ftn22\">[22]<\/a> <strong>\u201cReport of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0United Nations Human Rights Council, 13 June 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/xhVvG\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/xhVvG<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref23\" name=\"_ftn23\">[23]<\/a> <strong>\u201cReport of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0United Nations Human Rights Council, Ibid, 11 July 2025, https:\/\/shorter.me\/u7s90\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref24\" name=\"_ftn24\">[24]<\/a> <strong>\u201cEgypt 2025,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Amnesty International, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/ar\/location\/middle-east-and-north-africa\/north-africa\/egypt\/report-egypt\">https:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/ar\/location\/middle-east-and-north-africa\/north-africa\/egypt\/report-egypt<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong>Amr Abdelrahman, \u201cParallel Reality: A Commentary on the Egyptian Government\u2019s Report for the Universal Periodic Review,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, 26 January 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/znZTR\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/znZTR<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref25\" name=\"_ftn25\">[25]<\/a> <strong>\u201cReport of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0United Nations Human Rights Council,\u00a0<em>op. cit.<\/em>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref26\" name=\"_ftn26\">[26]<\/a> <strong>\u201cImplementation Gap: Freedom of Expression Between International Recommendations and Public Policies in Egypt,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE), 19 February 2026, <a href=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/research\/2026\/02\/19\/40160-afteegypt.html\">https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/research\/2026\/02\/19\/40160-afteegypt.html<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref27\" name=\"_ftn27\">[27]<\/a> Ibid.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref28\" name=\"_ftn28\">[28]<\/a> Halim Heneish, \u201cParliamentary Elections 2025: A Station for the Reproduction of Power in Egypt,\u201d\u00a0Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, 5 November 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/hHf28\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/hHf28<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref29\" name=\"_ftn29\">[29]<\/a> Ibid.\r\n\r\nAhmed Hassan, \u201cRe-engineering the Egyptian Parliamentary Elections\u2026 New Blood with Old Rules,\u201d\u00a0Daraj Media, 22 October 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/0z_wi\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/0z_wi<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref30\" name=\"_ftn30\">[30]<\/a> Halim Haneesh, \u201cParliamentary Elections 2025: A Station for the Reproduction of Power in Egypt,\u201d Ibid.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref31\" name=\"_ftn31\">[31]<\/a> \u201cEgypt: Parliamentary Elections 2025.. A Play to Strengthen the Sisi Regime,\u201d\u00a0Egyptian Human Rights Forum, 9 November 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/IVPWF\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/IVPWF<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref32\" name=\"_ftn32\">[32]<\/a> Shaimaa Hamdy, \u201cEgypt\u2019s Longest Parliamentary Elections Reproduce a Pro Government Dominated Parliament,\u201d\u00a0Zawia 3, 11 January 2026, <a href=\"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/pro-government-parliament\">https:\/\/zawia3.com\/pro-government-parliament<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref33\" name=\"_ftn33\">[33]<\/a> Salma Murad, \u201cElections No One Believed In\u2026 When Appeals Outnumber Individual Seats,\u201d\u00a0Zawia 3, 23 December 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/2025-egypt-elections-6\">https:\/\/zawia3.com\/2025-egypt-elections-6<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref34\" name=\"_ftn34\">[34]<\/a> Ibid.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref35\" name=\"_ftn35\">[35]<\/a> Shaimaa Hamdy, \u201cEgypt\u2019s Longest Parliamentary Elections Reproduce a Parliament Dominated by Pro Government Forces,\u201d Ibid.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref36\" name=\"_ftn36\">[36]<\/a> \u201cBanning Al Maraya from Participating in the Cairo International Book Fair 2025,\u201d Al Maraya for Culture and Arts, 31 December 2024, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/nlW0q\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/nlW0q<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref37\" name=\"_ftn37\">[37]<\/a> \u201cPreventing Tanweer from Participating in the Book Fair,\u201d Tanweer for Publishing and Media, 20 January 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/QG7Aq\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/QG7Aq<\/a> .\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref38\" name=\"_ftn38\">[38]<\/a> Mostafa El Qasaby, \u201cThe Musicians\u2019 Syndicate Bans Muslim from Performing,\u201d\u00a0Youm7, 8 March 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/4HEGO\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/4HEGO<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref39\" name=\"_ftn39\">[39]<\/a> Khaled ElKurdi, \u201cRagheb Alama Banned from Performing in Egypt and Referred for Syndicate Investigation,\u201d\u00a0Al Arabiya, 21 July 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/O3V_9\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/O3V_9<\/a> .\r\n\r\n\u201cCancellation of the Decision Banning Ragheb Alama from Performing in Egypt: Summary of Statements from the Musicians\u2019 Syndicate Press Conference,\u201d\u00a0Cairo 24, 13 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/Cgya8\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/Cgya8<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref40\" name=\"_ftn40\">[40]<\/a> \u201cState Security Renews the Detention of Hany Sobhy,\u201d\u00a0Al Manassa, 17 November 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/28487\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/28487<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref41\" name=\"_ftn41\">[41]<\/a> \u201cActors\u2019 Syndicate Refuses to Register an Actor,\u201d\u00a0Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, 7 December 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/legal-profiles-2\/legal-news\/2026\/01\/08\/39872-afteegypt.html\">https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/legal-profiles-2\/legal-news\/2026\/01\/08\/39872-afteegypt.html<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref42\" name=\"_ftn42\">[42]<\/a> \u201cStatement: Freedom of Thought and Expression Submits Two Petitions to the Public Prosecutor Demanding the Release of Poet Galal El Behairy,\u201d\u00a0Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, 6 May 2026, <a href=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/advocacy\/statements-2\/2026\/05\/06\/40880-afteegypt.html\">https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/advocacy\/statements-2\/2026\/05\/06\/40880-afteegypt.html<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref43\" name=\"_ftn43\">[43]<\/a> \u201cEgypt: Justice Committee Documents the Arrest and Enforced Disappearance of Activist \u2018Rivaldo\u2019 and Calls for Clarifying His Fate and His Immediate Release,\u201d\u00a0Justice Committee, 16 January 2025, 2025\u060c <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/5wOow\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/5wOow<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref44\" name=\"_ftn44\">[44]<\/a> Mohamed Napoleon, \u201cHis Wife Accused Security Forces of \u2018Abducting\u2019 Him\u2026 Parliamentary Candidate in New Cairo Released on Bail of EGP 100,000,\u201d\u00a0Al Manassa, 17 November 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/28481\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/28481<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref45\" name=\"_ftn45\">[45]<\/a> \u201cRelease of Salafi Preacher Mostafa El Adawy on Bail Following His Criticism of the Grand Egyptian Museum Visit,\u201d\u00a0Mada Masr, 4 November 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/diBzU\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/diBzU<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref46\" name=\"_ftn46\">[46]<\/a> Mohamed Napoleon, \u201cState Security Prosecution Summons Hossam Bahgat for Questioning in a New Case,\u201d\u00a0Al Manassa, 15 January 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/21742\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/21742<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref47\" name=\"_ftn47\">[47]<\/a> Mohamed Napoleon, \u201cNew Six-Month Prison Sentence for Publisher Hisham Kassem on Charges of \u2018Insulting and Disturbing\u2019 Nahed El Ashry,\u201d\u00a0Al Manassa, 15 May 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/24192\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/24192<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref48\" name=\"_ftn48\">[48]<\/a> Mohamed El Khouli, \u201cState Security Prosecution Releases Mahienour El Masry on Bail of EGP 50,000,\u201d\u00a0Al Manassa, 18 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/26488\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/26488<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref49\" name=\"_ftn49\">[49]<\/a> Mohamed El Khouli, \u201cAfter Two Hearings and Without Hearing the Defense Pleadings, Abdel Khalek Farouk Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for \u2018Spreading False News,\u2019\u201d Al Manassa, 4 October 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/27507\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/27507<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref50\" name=\"_ftn50\">[50]<\/a>\u201cHuman Rights Organizations: The Imprisonment of Ismail Alexandrani Confirms the Closure of Public Space,\u201d Al Manassa, 27 September 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/27356\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/27356<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref51\" name=\"_ftn51\">[51]<\/a> Mohamed Napoleon, \u201cFor the Fifth Time in a Year\u2026 State Security Prosecution Summons Ahmed Douma for Investigation,\u201d Al Manassa, 25 September 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/27344\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/27344<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref52\" name=\"_ftn52\">[52]<\/a> \u201cEIPR Calls for the Release of Director Abdelrahman El Ansary and Dropping the Charges Against Him,\u201d\u00a0Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, 2 June 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/7NWV5\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/7NWV5<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref53\" name=\"_ftn53\">[53]<\/a> Mohamed Napoleon, \u201cCalled for a Protest in Front of the Saudi Embassy\u2026 State Security Detains Former Bar Association Candidate,\u201d Al Manassa, 13 November 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/28426\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/28426<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref54\" name=\"_ftn54\">[54]<\/a> Mohamed Napoleon, \u201cConfronted with His Posts from the Last Three Months\u2026 Six Hour Interrogation Ends with the Release of Ammar Ali Hassan on Bail,\u201d Al Manassa, 15 December 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/29116\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/29116<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref55\" name=\"_ftn55\">[55]<\/a> Mariam Gaber, \u201cThe Interior Ministry Wields the \u2018Morality\u2019 Sword Against TikTokers,\u201d Zawia 3, 6 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/tiktok\/\">https:\/\/zawia3.com\/tiktok\/<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref56\" name=\"_ftn56\">[56]<\/a> \u201cFrom Family Values to Terrorism: How Egyptian Authorities Are Restricting the Digital Space (TikTok as a an Example),\u201d\u00a0Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, 5 February 2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/research\/2026\/02\/05\/40058-afteegypt.html\">https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/research\/2026\/02\/05\/40058-afteegypt.html<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref57\" name=\"_ftn57\">[57]<\/a> Mariam Gaber, \u201cThe Interior Ministry Wields the \u2018Morality\u2019 Sword Against TikTokers,\u201d\u00a0<em>Ibid.<\/em>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref58\" name=\"_ftn58\">[58]<\/a> Abdelrahman Sayed, \u201cArrest of TikTok Influencer Suzy El Urduneya in New Cairo,\u201d Al Youm Al Sabea, 2 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/0ONoi\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/0ONoi<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref59\" name=\"_ftn59\">[59]<\/a> Ahmed Abdel Hady, \u201cDetention of \u2018Um Sagda\u2019 for 4 Days Pending Investigation on Charges of Publishing Indecent Videos,\u201d Al Nahar, 2 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/CTZ9c\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/CTZ9c<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref60\" name=\"_ftn60\">[60]<\/a> \u201cAhmed Nagy, \u2018Abdel Atty Was Not Imprisoned Because of the Duck\u2019s Quacking,\u2019\u201d\u00a0Al Manassa, 30 November 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/stories\/28781\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/stories\/28781<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref61\" name=\"_ftn61\">[61]<\/a> Ahmed Abdel Hady, \u201cThe Story of the El Mozie El Farfoush \u2018 The Playful Presenter\u2019: From Viral Trend to \u2018Offending Public Decency\u2019 and Accountability,\u201d\u00a0Youm7, 20 June 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/ELLV1\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/ELLV1<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref62\" name=\"_ftn62\">[62]<\/a> \u201cRelease on Bail of Two Girls Who Posted a Video Dancing Inside an Empty Metro Car,\u201d\u00a0Mada Masr, 22 April 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/U6OcA\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/U6OcA<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref63\" name=\"_ftn63\">[63]<\/a> \u201cFrom Officer to Famous TikToker\u2026 The Reason Behind the Arrest of \u2018Shaker Mahzoor Dala2ty,\u2019\u201d\u00a0Al Ain News, 3 August 2025\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref64\" name=\"_ftn64\">[64]<\/a> Mohamed Abdelradi, \u201cDetails of the Arrest of TikToker \u2018Madahem\u2019: Narcotics, Foreign Currency, and Gold Jewelry in His Possession,\u201d\u00a0Youm7, 2 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/7sVH0\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/7sVH0<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref65\" name=\"_ftn65\">[65]<\/a> Kareem Sobhy, \u201cTikToker \u2018Peter Tattoo\u2019 Released on Bail After Being Accused of Publishing Indecent Content and Operating an Unlicensed Establishment,\u201d Youm7, 7 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/hxw9r\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/hxw9r<\/a> \u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref66\" name=\"_ftn66\">[66]<\/a> Abdelrahman Sayed, \u201cDetails of the Arrest of TikToker \u2018Khaled El Rassam\u2019,\u201d Al Youm Al Sabea, 8 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/z9nk6\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/z9nk6<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref67\" name=\"_ftn67\">[67]<\/a> Ayman Kamal, \u201cArrest of Blogger Hasnaa Shaaban,\u201d Voice of Free Christians, 10 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/9fxYe\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/9fxYe<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref68\" name=\"_ftn68\">[68]<\/a> Yosry El Badry, \u201cThe Ministry of Interior Reveals Details of a Video Showing Two Individuals Insulting a Girl in Beni Suef,\u201d Al Masry Al Youm, 12 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.almasryalyoum.com\/news\/details\/3523204\">https:\/\/www.almasryalyoum.com\/news\/details\/3523204<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u201cAfter \u2018Mori Set El Kull\u2019\u2026 Arrest of a Network of Female Content Creators and Their Leader in Egypt,\u201d Al Ain News, 14 August 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/al-ain.com\/article\/3-egyptian-content-creators-arrested\">https:\/\/al-ain.com\/article\/3-egyptian-content-creators-arrested<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref69\" name=\"_ftn69\">[69]<\/a> Ahmed El Zoghbi, \u201cArrest of \u2018Al-Shehta\u2019, a Content Creator in Alexandria, for Publishing Indecent Videos,\u201d Youm7, 12 October 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/PpjZf\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/PpjZf<\/a> \u00a0\r\n\r\nMahmoud Abdelradi, \u201cArrest of a Content Creator for Publishing Indecent Videos to Profit via Social Media,\u201d Youm7, 11 October 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/r_0Th\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/r_0Th<\/a> \u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref70\" name=\"_ftn70\">[70]<\/a> Saber El Bahgy, \u201cArrest of \u2018Halaoulo\u2019 for Publishing Indecent Online Content in Alexandria,\u201d Sada El Balad, 13 October 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/BkCnL\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/BkCnL<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref71\" name=\"_ftn71\">[71]<\/a> \u201cDoctor and Engineer\u2026 New Developments in Food Fraud Content Creators in Egypt,\u201d Al Arabiya, 1 December 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/S2aWc\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/S2aWc<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref72\" name=\"_ftn72\">[72]<\/a> Mohamed Ali, \u201cSix Month Prison Sentence for Blogger Karawan Mashakel for Publishing Indecent Videos,\u201d Al-Ahram, 18 January 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/gate.ahram.org.eg\/News\/5077629.aspx\">https:\/\/gate.ahram.org.eg\/News\/5077629.aspx<\/a> .\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref73\" name=\"_ftn73\">[73]<\/a> Ahmed El Zoghbi, \u201cCourt Reasoning in the \u2018Wahsh El Kaun\u2019 Case: She Exploited Her Daughters for Profit on Social Media,\u201d Youm7, 27 January 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/XVmvB\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/XVmvB<\/a> \u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref74\" name=\"_ftn74\">[74]<\/a> Ahmed Adel, \u201cThe \u2018Provocative Videos\u2019 Case\u2026 One-Year Prison Sentence for Blogger \u2018Rocki Ahmed\u2019 with Suspended Execution,\u201d Masrawy, 24 February 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/7VB6B\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/7VB6B<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref75\" name=\"_ftn75\">[75]<\/a> Mahmoud Abdel Salam, \u201cUpholding the Prison Sentence of Blogger Hadeer Abdel Razek on Charges of Publishing Indecent Videos,\u201d Al Shorouk, 4 March 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shorouknews.com\/news\/view.aspx?cdate=04032025&amp;id=9a3cfe8d-c4dd-4516-9b93-63e49fe717e9\">https:\/\/www.shorouknews.com\/news\/view.aspx?cdate=04032025&amp;id=9a3cfe8d-c4dd-4516-9b93-63e49fe717e9<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref76\" name=\"_ftn76\">[76]<\/a> Mohamed Napoleon, \u201cReduction of Suzy El Urduniyya\u2019s Sentence from One Year to Six Months in the \u2018Violation of Family Values\u2019 Case,\u201d Al Manassa, 25 December 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/29349\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/29349<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref77\" name=\"_ftn77\">[77]<\/a> Mohamed El Qamash, \u201cPublic Prosecution Orders the Detention of \u2018Nour Toffaha\u2019 for 24 Hours in the \u2018Incitement to Debauchery\u2019 Case,\u201d Al Masry Al Youm, 19 June 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.almasryalyoum.com\/news\/details\/3479930\">https:\/\/www.almasryalyoum.com\/news\/details\/3479930<\/a>\r\n\r\nSelim Ali, \u201cTwo Year Prison Sentence for Nour Toffaha on Charges of Spreading Immorality and Indecency and Broadcasting Indecent Content,\u201d Youm7, 25 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/nSBbk\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/nSBbk<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref78\" name=\"_ftn78\">[78]<\/a> Mohamed Ali, \u201cTwo Year Prison Sentence and a Fine of EGP 200,000 for Blogger \u2018Um Sagda\u2019 on Charges of Violating Family Values,\u201d Al Ahram, 9 December 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gate.ahram.org.eg\/News\/5349080.aspx\">https:\/\/gate.ahram.org.eg\/News\/5349080.aspx<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref79\" name=\"_ftn79\">[79]<\/a> \u201cEgyptian Authorities Must Immediately Cease the Prosecution of Children over Their Activities in Electronic Games,\u201d\u00a0MENA Rights Group, 28 August 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/sPD-t\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/sPD-t<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u201cFollowing the Sentencing of Two Children to Ten Years\u2019 Imprisonment: The Egyptian Network Raises Concerns over Harsh Sentences against Other Children Held in Pretrial Detention,\u201d\u00a0Egyptian Network for Human Rights, 25 December 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/u8bPa\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/u8bPa<\/a> \u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref80\" name=\"_ftn80\">[80]<\/a> \u201cStatement: Egyptian Authorities Must Immediately Stop Prosecuting Children Over Their Activities in Online Gaming,\u201d\u00a0Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, 28 August 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/fwBeq\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/fwBeq<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref81\" name=\"_ftn81\">[81]<\/a> \u201cThree Year Prison Sentence for YouTuber Ahmed Spider on Charges of Contempt of Religion,\u201d\u00a0Cairo 24, 9 February 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/SOc6l\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/SOc6l<\/a> \u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref82\" name=\"_ftn82\">[82]<\/a> Mohamed Napoleon, \u201c\u2018Cassation Court Upholds Prison Sentence and Fine for a Christian on Charges of Harassing the Bishop of Menoufia,\u2019\u201d\u00a0Al Manassa, 3 June 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/24704\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/24704<\/a> \u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref83\" name=\"_ftn83\">[83]<\/a> Mustafa Drrgham, \u201cSix Month Prison Sentence for YouTuber Hisham El Masry for Misuse of Social Media,\u201d Cairo 24, 30 August 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cairo24.com\/2271462\">https:\/\/www.cairo24.com\/2271462<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref84\" name=\"_ftn84\">[84]<\/a> \u201cIman Adel, \u2018Sherif Gaber and Magdy Zakaria: Imposing Religion by Force in Cell 3418,\u2019\u201d Daraj Media, 31 January 2026, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/DXGj\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/DXGj<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref85\" name=\"_ftn85\">[85]<\/a> \u201cAfter a Ruling Violating Freedom of Belief and the Right to a Fair Trial: Appeal in the Five Year Prison Sentence of Augustinus Sam\u2019aan on Charges of \u2018Contempt of Religions\u2019 ,\u201d\u00a0Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, 5 February 2025,\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/aOG8_\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/aOG8_<\/a>\u00a0\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref86\" name=\"_ftn86\">[86]<\/a> \u201cThe Security Investigations Campaign Extends to Non Religious Individuals, Atheists, and Those Holding Non Mainstream Religious Views,\u201d\u00a0Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, 14 October 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/_g26u\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/_g26u<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref87\" name=\"_ftn87\">[87]<\/a> \u201cEgypt: Stop Arbitrary Arrests, Enforced Disappearances, and Deportation Threats Against Members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light,\u201d Amnesty International, 10 April 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/iaNwp\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/iaNwp<\/a>\r\n\r\nIman Adel, \u201cIs Freedom of Belief Prohibited in Egypt? The \u2018Peace and Light\u2019 Followers Are Not the Last to Be Targeted,\u201d Daraj Media, 20 August 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/fB0oX\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/fB0oX<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref88\" name=\"_ftn88\">[88]<\/a> <strong>\u201cThe Security Crackdown Extends to Non Religious Individuals, Atheists, and Individuals Holding Non Mainstream Religious Views,\u201d<\/strong> <em>Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights<\/em>, <strong>Ibid.<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref89\" name=\"_ftn89\">[89]<\/a> Khaled Ali, \u201cReferral of Dr. Taqadom El Khatib to Criminal Trial,\u201d Facebook, 22 October 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/Lmctj\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/Lmctj<\/a>.\r\n\r\n\u201c\u2018It Does Not Stop\u2019\u2026 Targeting Egyptian Researchers Abroad,\u201d\u00a0Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, 23 December 2021,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/research\/monitoring-reports\/2021\/12\/23\/27836-afteegypt.html\">https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/research\/monitoring-reports\/2021\/12\/23\/27836-afteegypt.html<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref90\" name=\"_ftn90\">[90]<\/a> Ahmed El Tohamy File,\u201d\u00a0Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, <a href=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/legal-profiles-2\/legal-news\/2021\/02\/17\/20969-afteegypt.html\">https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/legal-profiles-2\/legal-news\/2021\/02\/17\/20969-afteegypt.html<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref91\" name=\"_ftn91\">[91]<\/a> Iman Kamal, \u201cAl Azhar Refers Mabrouk Attia for Investigation After He Hosted Mahraganat Singers,\u201d Al Jazeera, 25 March 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/JzCjA\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/JzCjA<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref92\" name=\"_ftn92\">[92]<\/a> \u201cCouncil of State Suspends Review of Appeal Concerning a Teaching Assistant\u2019s Right to Appointment Due to Non Compliance with Court Ruling,\u201d\u00a0Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, <a href=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/legal-profiles-2\/legal-news\/2024\/12\/24\/39258-afteegypt.html\">https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/legal-profiles-2\/legal-news\/2024\/12\/24\/39258-afteegypt.html<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref93\" name=\"_ftn93\">[93]<\/a> Mohamed Napoleon, \u201cTen Year Heavy Prison Sentence for Student Leader Moaz El Sharkawy\u2026,\u201d\u00a0Al Manassa, 25 June 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/25224\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/25224<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref94\" name=\"_ftn94\">[94]<\/a> Ibid.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref95\" name=\"_ftn95\">[95]<\/a> \u201cStatement from Zawia Thalitha: On Blocking, Journalism, and the Public\u2019s Right to Know,\u201d\u00a0Zawia 3, 20 February 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/zawia3.com\/our-site-is-blocked-in-egypt\/\">https:\/\/zawia3.com\/our-site-is-blocked-in-egypt\/<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref96\" name=\"_ftn96\">[96]<\/a> - \u201cSupreme Council for Media Regulation: Al Ahly TV Channel Fined EGP 100,000 and Ahmed Shobier Banned from Appearing for Two Weeks,\u201d Supreme Council for Media Regulation, 4 March 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/lomEM\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/lomEM<\/a>\r\n\r\n- \u201cSupreme Council for Media Regulation: Suspension of the Program \u2018Mal\u2019ab Al-Shams\u2019, Fining the Channel EGP 100,000, and Warning of License Revocation,\u201d Supreme Council for Media Regulation, 6 March 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/uqP_9\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/uqP_9<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref97\" name=\"_ftn97\">[97]<\/a> \u201cSupreme Council for Media Regulation: Fining Al Shams EGP 50,000, Sada El Balad EGP 75,000, and Al-Nahar EGP 100,000,\u201d Supreme Council for Media Regulation, 17 March 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/8uq06\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/8uq06<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref98\" name=\"_ftn98\">[98]<\/a> \u201cSupreme Council for Media Regulation: Summoning the Officials in Charge of the \u2018Ahlawy &amp; Zamalekawy\u2019 YouTube Channel,\u201d Supreme Council for Media Regulation, 16 April 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/NdT9T\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/NdT9T<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref99\" name=\"_ftn99\">[99]<\/a> \u201cSupreme Council for Media Regulation Summons the Administrators of the Social Media Accounts of Basma Wahba, Yasmin El Khatib, and Abu El Maati Zaki,\u201d Supreme Council for Media Regulation, 17 November 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/E8vId\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/E8vId<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref100\" name=\"_ftn100\">[100]<\/a> \u201cFreedom of Press and Media Platform! March 2025 Roundup,\u201d Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/eufQ5\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/eufQ5<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u201cFreedom of Press and Media Platform! June 2025 Roundup,\u201d Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/o2hs0\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/o2hs0<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref101\" name=\"_ftn101\">[101]<\/a> Rahma Sami, \u201cThe Complaints Committee of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation and Interventions Restricting Media Freedom and Digital Expression,\u201d\u00a0Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, 3 March 2026, <a href=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/research\/2026\/03\/03\/40217-afteegypt.html\">https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/research\/2026\/03\/03\/40217-afteegypt.html<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref102\" name=\"_ftn102\">[102]<\/a> Mohamed El Khouli, \u201cOn Charges of \u2018Promoting Terrorist Ideas and Spreading False News\u2019\u2026 Journalist Ahmed Serag Detained for 15 Days,\u201d Al Manassa, 16 January 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/21762\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/21762<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref103\" name=\"_ftn103\">[103]<\/a> \u201cAmnesty International Calls on Egypt to Reveal the Whereabouts of Activist Nasser Al Hawari,\u201d Al Manassa, 14 February 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/22322\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/22322<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref104\" name=\"_ftn104\">[104]<\/a> Nora Younes, \u201c\u2018An Attempt to Silence Me\u2019\u2026 Rasha Kandil and Her Lawyer Reveal Details of Eight Hours before State Security,\u201d Al Manassa, 26 May 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/24484\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/24484<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref105\" name=\"_ftn105\">[105]<\/a> \u201cThe State of Journalism and Media in Egypt: Annual Report 2025,\u201d\u00a0Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/etxce\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/etxce<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref106\" name=\"_ftn106\">[106]<\/a> \u201cRelease of Journalists from\u00a0<em>Al Safha Al Oula<\/em>\u00a0Following a Complaint Filed by Ahmed Abou Hashima,\u201d Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media, 20 July 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/K-UZF\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/K-UZF<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref107\" name=\"_ftn107\">[107]<\/a> Mohamed El Khouli, \u201c\u2018Supreme State Security Prosecution\u2019 Releases\u00a0<em>Mada Masr<\/em>\u00a0Editor in Chief on Bail of EGP 30,000,\u201d\u00a0<em>Al Manassa<\/em>, 4 August 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/26120\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/26120<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref108\" name=\"_ftn108\">[108]<\/a> \u201c\u2018State Security\u2019 Rearrests a Journalist after Nearly Two Years of Her Release,\u201d\u00a0<em>Mada Masr<\/em>, 7 October 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/pYFIU\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/pYFIU<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref109\" name=\"_ftn109\">[109]<\/a> Mohamed ElKhouli, \u201cRelease of Ahmed Refaat and Mondher El Khalali on Bail of EGP 20,000 Each,\u201d Al Manassa, 7 December 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/28951\">https:\/\/manassa.news\/news\/28951<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref110\" name=\"_ftn110\">[110]<\/a> \u201cPreventing an Unaccredited Journalist from Conducting an Interview with the Governor of Kafr El Sheikh,\u201d Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media, 23 February 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/8gWgC\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/8gWgC<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref111\" name=\"_ftn111\">[111]<\/a> \u201cPreventing Journalist Samah El Mughazi from Covering an Event,\u201d Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media, 27 February 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/kSOY-\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/kSOY-<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref112\" name=\"_ftn112\">[112]<\/a> \u201cMinister of Health Prevents Journalists from Covering Event After Release of His Statements on \u2018Telegraph Egypt\u2019,\u201d Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media, 29 March 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/8IxKg\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/8IxKg<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref113\" name=\"_ftn113\">[113]<\/a> \u201cPreventing a Photographer from\u00a0<em>Cairo 24<\/em>\u00a0from Covering the Closing Ceremony of the National Theatre Festival,\u201d Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media, 7 August 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/0eoD0\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/0eoD0<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref114\" name=\"_ftn114\">[114]<\/a> \u201cPreventing Journalist Dina Samir from Filming,\u201d Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media, 25 November 2025, \u060c <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/hcQsl\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/hcQsl<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u201cPlatform of Press and Media Freedom!.. December 2025 Media Freedom and Press Monitoring Digest,\u201d Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/-mnCh\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/-mnCh<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref115\" name=\"_ftn115\">[115]<\/a> \u201cPlatform of Press and Media Freedom!.. Press Freedom and Media Bulletin: August 2025,\u201d Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, \u060c <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/R-9ut\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/R-9ut<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref116\" name=\"_ftn116\">[116]<\/a> \u201cFiling a Complaint Against Laila Eloui for Assaulting a Journalist with a Disability,\u201d\u00a0<em>24 News<\/em>, 3 October 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/rdoP8\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/rdoP8<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#_ftnref117\" name=\"_ftn117\">[117]<\/a> \u201cPlatform of Press and Media Freedom!.. December 2025 Media Freedom and Press Monitoring Digest,\u201d Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms <a href=\"https:\/\/shorter.me\/eXYI8\">https:\/\/shorter.me\/eXYI8<\/a><\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Contents Methodology Introduction Section One: Context and Developments First: Widespread Criticism of the New Criminal Procedure Law Second: Growing Protest Movements Third: Civil Society Under the Restrictions of the NGO Law Fourth: Comprehensive Periodic Review: Announced Reforms and Continuing Violations Fifth: Parliamentary Elections: Security Agencies Manage the Political Scene Section Two: Analysis of Patterns of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":41262,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[984,968],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-monitoring-reports-en","category-research-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Continuous Discipline .. Annual Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Egypt - Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Continuous Discipline .. Annual Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Egypt - Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Contents Methodology Introduction Section One: Context and Developments First: Widespread Criticism of the New Criminal Procedure Law Second: Growing Protest Movements Third: Civil Society Under the Restrictions of the NGO Law Fourth: Comprehensive Periodic Review: Announced Reforms and Continuing Violations Fifth: Parliamentary Elections: Security Agencies Manage the Political Scene Section Two: Analysis of Patterns of [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-17T11:50:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/\u062a\u0623\u062f\u064a\u0628-\u0645\u0633\u062a\u0645\u0631-en-cover-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"928\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"515\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"somaya magdy\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"somaya magdy\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"50 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html\",\"name\":\"Continuous Discipline .. Annual Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Egypt - Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/\u062a\u0623\u062f\u064a\u0628-\u0645\u0633\u062a\u0645\u0631-en-cover-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-17T11:50:35+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/#\/schema\/person\/9537868c09310194a86fae05da54bce8\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/\u062a\u0623\u062f\u064a\u0628-\u0645\u0633\u062a\u0645\u0631-en-cover-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/\u062a\u0623\u062f\u064a\u0628-\u0645\u0633\u062a\u0645\u0631-en-cover-1.jpg\",\"width\":928,\"height\":515},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Continuous Discipline .. Annual Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Egypt\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/\",\"name\":\"Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression\",\"description\":\"Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/#\/schema\/person\/9537868c09310194a86fae05da54bce8\",\"name\":\"somaya magdy\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/312cbdcfb5105409f675745b087377f9145cc02581d6b3232f386e97842ddcee?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/312cbdcfb5105409f675745b087377f9145cc02581d6b3232f386e97842ddcee?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"somaya magdy\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/author\/somaya\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Continuous Discipline .. Annual Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Egypt - Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Continuous Discipline .. Annual Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Egypt - Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression","og_description":"Contents Methodology Introduction Section One: Context and Developments First: Widespread Criticism of the New Criminal Procedure Law Second: Growing Protest Movements Third: Civil Society Under the Restrictions of the NGO Law Fourth: Comprehensive Periodic Review: Announced Reforms and Continuing Violations Fifth: Parliamentary Elections: Security Agencies Manage the Political Scene Section Two: Analysis of Patterns of [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html","og_site_name":"Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression","article_published_time":"2026-06-17T11:50:35+00:00","og_image":[{"width":928,"height":515,"url":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/\u062a\u0623\u062f\u064a\u0628-\u0645\u0633\u062a\u0645\u0631-en-cover-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"somaya magdy","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"somaya magdy","Est. reading time":"50 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html","url":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html","name":"Continuous Discipline .. Annual Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Egypt - Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/\u062a\u0623\u062f\u064a\u0628-\u0645\u0633\u062a\u0645\u0631-en-cover-1.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-17T11:50:35+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/#\/schema\/person\/9537868c09310194a86fae05da54bce8"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/\u062a\u0623\u062f\u064a\u0628-\u0645\u0633\u062a\u0645\u0631-en-cover-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/\u062a\u0623\u062f\u064a\u0628-\u0645\u0633\u062a\u0645\u0631-en-cover-1.jpg","width":928,"height":515},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/research-en\/2026\/06\/17\/41261-afteegypt.html#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Continuous Discipline .. Annual Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Egypt"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/","name":"Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression","description":"Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/#\/schema\/person\/9537868c09310194a86fae05da54bce8","name":"somaya magdy","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/312cbdcfb5105409f675745b087377f9145cc02581d6b3232f386e97842ddcee?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/312cbdcfb5105409f675745b087377f9145cc02581d6b3232f386e97842ddcee?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"somaya magdy"},"url":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/author\/somaya"}]}},"modified_by":"somaya magdy","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41261","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/88"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41261"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41264,"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41261\/revisions\/41264"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}