Amnesty International has urgently called for the release of Egyptian human rights activists who are being held without justification and are awaiting dubious legal proceedings. Allegations against these individuals involve terrorism, spreading false information, and participating in anti-government protests. The rights group reveals a distressing trend, with Egyptian security apprehending around 59 citizens since December 2024 for voicing discontent over human rights violations and corruption under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s regime.
Many activists have resorted to social media platforms, notably a Facebook page and Telegram channel named “Revolution of the Joints,” to rally against the government’s failure to manage the economic crisis afflicting the nation. Mahmoud Shalaby, Amnesty’s Egypt researcher, emphasised the need for citizens to express their opinions freely without the looming threat of arrest or detention. With these statements, the atmosphere surrounding dissent in Egypt remains alarming.
Shalaby highlighted that authorities have kept several activists incommunicado, exposing them to abuses until they were formally charged on February 8. These charges range from affiliation with a terrorist organisation to inciting terrorist acts and providing financial support for terrorist activities. Disturbingly, families seeking information about the detained individuals have been met with silences or outright denials from authorities, intensifying fears about their well-being.
Only adding to the grim reality, lawyers representing the activists disclosed the harrowing treatment they endured during interrogation, which included severe torture methods such as blindfolding and electrocution. Concurrently, the Egyptian Human Rights Forum raised alarms about numerous political opponents still subjected to protracted pre-trial detentions, while authorities persistently renew detention periods without just legal processes.
As the countdown to the UN Universal Period Review looms, arbitrary detentions continue, with activists facing terrorism-related charges that echo ominously. Hossam Bahgat, a notable human rights defender, recently faced similar accusations, further alarming international organisations advocating for human rights. Meanwhile, many activists secretly maintain their fight for justice in fear of government retribution.
Despite the intimidation, Egyptian human rights groups are resolute in their quest for justice and democracy. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies reported that 12 local organisations have presented recommendations to the government to tackle the alarming human rights issues plaguing Egypt. Their demands include ending systematic torture in prisons, halting enforced disappearances, and allowing the International Red Cross to assess the conditions within detention facilities.
Amnesty International has called on Egypt to free activists detained for expressing dissent on social media. Approximately 59 individuals have been abducted by security forces amid growing discontent over human rights abuses and corruption. Detainees face severe torture and long pre-trial periods, while human rights groups continue to confront the regime’s oppressive measures in their fight for justice and democracy.
Amnesty International’s call highlights the concerning trend of arbitrary detentions faced by activists in Egypt, who are unjustly imprisoned for their social media expressions against government faults. The persistence of such practices underscores the ongoing human rights crisis under al-Sisi’s regime, where countless political opponents are trapped in pre-trial limbo. Despite aspirations for change and justice from local organisations, their efforts are met with increasing repression from authorities. The struggle for human rights in Egypt entails a battle against brutality, urging a collective international voice to support those who dare to demand a better future.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
