Nasser al-Hawari, a human rights activist, was detained in Egypt after discussing abuses by Khalifa Haftar’s forces on his TV show. Amnesty International has called for his release, citing that authorities have not informed his family of his whereabouts. Al-Hawari, an outspoken critic of Haftar, fled Libya after facing threats for his activism.
Amnesty International is urging Egyptian authorities to release Nasser al-Hawari, an Egyptian-Libyan human rights activist detained by police outside his Alexandria home on February 9. His arrest coincided with the airing of a TV show where he discussed alleged prisoner abuses linked to Khalifa Haftar, a powerful Libyan warlord. Al-Hawari indicated he would present further evidence of these abuses in subsequent broadcasts.
Khalifa Haftar, who effectively governs eastern Libya, maintains a close alliance with the Egyptian government, which has reportedly provided military and logistical support to his forces. According to Amnesty, Egyptian authorities have not disclosed al-Hawari’s location or wellbeing to his family, despite complaints lodged with the Public Prosecution.
Human rights researcher Mahmoud Shalaby expressed concern over al-Hawari’s situation, stating, “Nasser al-Hawari’s distressed family have not heard from him since he was seized without explanation or an arrest warrant and subjected to enforced disappearance.” He called for Egyptian authorities to confirm al-Hawari’s whereabouts and facilitate communication with his family and legal representatives.
Further complicating matters, Egyptian police temporarily detained al-Hawari’s brother, warning him against disclosing details regarding his brother’s detention. Al-Hawari is the director of the rights organization, Victims for Human Rights, and previously founded the Libyan Observatory for Human Rights, which has documented torture cases in Libya for over a decade.
Al-Hawari fled to Tunisia in early 2024 after being detained by militia forces in Tripoli and has lived in Egypt since June 2024. His criticism of Haftar led to his exile from eastern Libya in 2023. Mahmoud Shalaby underscored that the Egyptian government’s partnership with Haftar does not excuse actions against al-Hawari for revealing human rights violations associated with Haftar’s command.
In summary, the detention of Nasser al-Hawari highlights the tension between human rights activism and the political landscape in Egypt and Libya. Amnesty International’s call for his release emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability regarding human rights abuses and the treatment of activists. The situation illustrates the risks faced by those who criticize powerful figures within oppressive regimes.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
