Crackdown on Dissent Intensifies
Egyptian authorities are intensifying their crackdown on peaceful dissent as they prepare for a review of the country’s human rights record by the UN on January 28, according to Amnesty International. In January alone, several critics faced criminal investigations, marking a continuation of the government’s oppressive tactics against dissenting voices.
Targeted Actions Against Criticism
Notably, human rights defender Hossam Bahgat became a target of a criminal investigation initiated by the Supreme State Security Prosecution. Reports state he was questioned regarding the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) and allegations of spreading false news. Prominent opposition figure Hisham Kassem also learned he was facing new criminal charges related to his previous convictions for exposing corruption.
Arrests and Charges
Nada Mogheeth, wife of jailed cartoonist Ashraf Omar, was arrested without a warrant after discussing Omar’s case during an interview. Ahmed Serag, the journalist who conducted the interview, was also detained, facing serious charges including promoting terrorist ideas, as reported by sources close to the investigation. Security forces arrested TikToker Mohamed Allam for criticizing President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, highlighting the risks faced by those voicing dissent online.
Ongoing Intimidation Tactics
Mahmoud Shalaby, an Egypt researcher at Amnesty International, condemned the irony of such repression occurring just before the Human Rights Council meeting. He stated, “The government is sending a crystal clear message that it has no intention of tolerating any form of dissent or improving its abysmal human rights record.” This recent surge in arrests aligns with the anniversary of the 2011 revolution, underscoring the regime’s efforts to silence opposition.
Background Context
The UN Human Rights Council will assess Egypt’s human rights status on January 28, 2025. The preparations for this review coincide with increased repression, which Amnesty International characterizes as part of a broader crisis of human rights and accountability in the nation. As noted, this strategic crackdown aims to diminish the chances of significant dissent during a politically sensitive period.
Egypt intensifies crackdown on dissent ahead of UN human rights review. Notable arrests include human rights defender Hossam Bahgat and TikToker Mohamed Allam. Critics face politically motivated charges alongside the government’s ongoing campaign against freedom of expression, as reported by Amnesty International. Mahmoud Shalaby highlights the irony of repression occurring just before the review.
The intensifying suppression of dissent in Egypt is evident as the government gears up for its UN human rights record review. From the arrests of well-known critics to politically motivated criminal investigations, the current climate reflects a systemic crackdown that sends a clear message of intolerance for opposition. With these actions coinciding with significant anniversaries of past uprisings, the regime’s focus on maintaining control is unmistakable.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
