The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) shares with you the roundtables it has organized over the past month, in addition to the legal updates of lawsuits in which AFTE provides legal support to prisoners of conscience, or to academics who were subjected to abuse and security prosecutions for expressing their opinions.
We always welcome any inquiries or clarifications from everyone, through our social media platforms, or via the following email: [email protected]
Events
AFTE organized a roundtable entitled “Freedom of Expression and the Circulation of Information: How Can the UPR Recommendations be Integrated into the National Human Rights Strategy”. AFTE’s team presented that the Egyptian government has accepted a significant number of the UPR recommendations, but the impact of this step remains limited at the level of public policies and implementation practices. This gap is particularly important in light of the preparation of a new National Human Rights Strategy, which is intended to be an extension of the first strategy (2021–2026) and is meant to form the governmental framework for implementing Egypt’s international obligations.
The participants discussed several key points, most notably that human rights organizations are an essential component of society and should not be perceived as entities advancing unrealistic demands. They emphasized, however, the challenges these organizations face in reaching broad segments of the population, which limits their impact on shaping public awareness, particularly in light of Law No. 149 of 2019 on Associations, which imposes additional restrictions on civil society work, despite its stated purpose of enhancing rights. Participants further underscored the importance of involving civil society in the drafting of laws and public policies, as such participation could improve the quality of legislation and reinforce its legitimacy.
They also noted the continued reliance on custodial penalties in several cases concerning freedom of expression, calling for a review of these policies and to instead pursue legal alternatives more consistent with the protection of rights and freedoms. In addition, they highlighted the importance of the role of official institutions, such as Parliament, in strengthening human rights protections by adopting reform proposals, exercising effective oversight, and engaging in more open deliberation of legislation related to rights and freedoms.
Equally, participants stressed the necessity of access to information as a fundamental condition for enhancing transparency and accountability. They observed that restrictions on the circulation of information hinder the ability of civil society, researchers, and the media to evaluate public policies or monitor governmental performance.
A group of 15 participants attended the roundtable, including Negad Elborai, board member of the national dialogue, Ahmed Ragheb, human rights lawyer, Sherif Gamal, CEWLA’s executive director, Naglaa Morshed, executive director of Al Midan foundation, Soha Said, executive director of Fahim foundation, Bassam Elsawaf, member of the house of representatives, Mohamed Bassal, editorial director at Elshrouk, Hossam Ali, the vice president of the Consciousness Party, and Ragia Omran, AFTE’s chairwoman of the board.
Publications
AFTE’s paper, the Complaints Committee of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation and its restrictive interventions on media and digital expression, reveals a shift in the committee’s role from a regulatory tool with direct influence over media and digital content to a punitive mechanism relying on broad powers, raising concerns regarding transparency and guarantees of freedom of expression.
The paper examines and analyzes the work of the Complaints Committee of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation in Egypt during the period 2021–2025. It provides both descriptive and legal analysis of the committee’s published decisions and recommendations, supported by a database of 35 documented intervention cases to assess the boundaries of the committee’s interventions between professional regulation and oversight of media performance on the one hand, and direct impact on freedom of expression and the circulation of information on the other.
Advocacy
The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression issued a statement urging the release of poet Galal El‑Behairy, particularly given that he has already spent eight years in detention and now awaits trial in two new cases, following prior release orders in other cases. The statement emphasizes that El‑Behairy’s continued detention is unjustified, given the harsh conditions he has endured throughout those eight years, as a direct consequence of his artistic contributions, and especially that he has engaged in multiple hunger strikes during this period.
Legal Aid
In March, three prisoners of conscience were released, most notably blogger Mohamed Oxygen, while the detention of eight others was renewed. The Administrative Court also reviewed several appeals filed by the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) on behalf of its clients, including academics and union members.
– After 8 years of continuous violations, the Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to release Blogger Mohamed Oxygen.
– Administrative Court Postpones Hearing of Professor’s Appeal Against Unlawful Suspension From Work.
– The First Circuit of the Criminal Court renewed Mahmoud Abu Srea’s Detention for 45 days.
– The Criminal Court (First Circuit Terrorism) renews Mohamed Zayan’s Detention for 45 Days Over Supporting Former Presidential Candidate Ahmed Tantawy.
– The Supreme State Security Prosecution released Student Ayman Eldarder After Being Arrested at a Metro Station.
– Lawyer Osama Al-Shishtawy Released After Five Months in Pretrial Detention.
– Criminal Court renews Sherif El-Rouby’s detention for 45 days in violation of the legal limit for pretrial detention.
– The Cairo Criminal Court (Second Circuit Terrorism) postponed the trial of Journalist and Confectioner on Terrorism and False News Charges.
– Al-Haram Misdemeanor Court renews Mohamed Mostafa‘s detention for 45 days.
– State Council halts appeal on the Right to Appoint a Teaching Assistant for non-compliance with court order.
– Administrative Court rules in favor of Dr. Haitham Abdel-Baqy’s appointment at Aswan University.
– State Security Renews Mostafa Ramadan’s Detention for 15 days, Ignoring his Need for Medical Care.
– Cairo Misdemeanor Appellate Court accepts Hamed Sedeek’s appeal against a verdict issued against him.
– Administrative Court Postpones Hearing of Freedom of Thought and Expression’s Lawsuit Demanding Registration of its Client as an Active Member of the Actors’ Syndicate.
– Warraq Misdemeanor Appellate Court acquits Mohamed Mostafa in the Tiran and Sanafir Lawsuit.
– Supreme State Security Prosecution Renews Detention of Lawyer Mohamed Ibrahim Solieman for 15 days.
– The Criminal Court adjourned the Hearing on the renewal of Mohamed Mostafa’s Detention due to Technical Issues.
– Mohamed Hamed‘s trial was postponed to 23 June Due to his absence from Court.
– The Cairo Criminal Court adjourned Dr. Ahmed El-Tohamy’s Trial to June 23 to Hear Additional Prosecution Witnesses.
– The Cairo Criminal Court adjourned Al-Embaby’s Trial to May 17; Following Arrest at an Al Ahly–Haras El Hodoud Match.
