Reporters Without Borders (RSF) demands the immediate release of Alaa Abdel Fattah, who completed his sentence on September 29 but remains detained in Egypt. His mother, on a months-long hunger strike, is critically ill, increasing the urgency of the request. UN experts and UK Prime Minister Starmer have also called for action to address his unlawful detention.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urgently called for the immediate release of Alaa Abdel Fattah, a British-Egyptian blogger who has been detained in Egypt for over a decade. His most recent sentence, which was handed down for sharing a Facebook post, ended on September 29, yet Egyptian authorities have not released him, citing pre-trial detention. Amidst this, his mother, Laila Soueif, is on a hunger strike which has lasted nearly six months, as her health deteriorates, and her life is at stake.
According to RSF, the situation is dire as Soueif, a mathematics professor, has lost considerable weight and is being treated in a London hospital. Despite the UK government increasing its efforts to advocate for his release, real progress has been lacking. RSF emphasizes the urgent need for a global movement towards justice for Abdel Fattah given the family’s precarious circumstances.
UN human rights experts have echoed RSF’s plea, labeling Abdel Fattah’s detention as unlawful while urging Egypt to respect international human rights obligations. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated his commitment to Abdel Fattah’s release but has yet to achieve tangible results. Soueif’s critical condition amplifies the need for immediate action.
RSF’s call for the release of Alaa Abdel Fattah highlights a critical situation exacerbated by his prolonged detention and his mother’s deteriorating health. The involvement of international bodies and a demand for accountability from the Egyptian government are essential in resolving this case. Both local and global advocacy efforts are crucial to uphold human rights and freedom of expression in Egypt.
Original Source: rsf.org
