Amnesty International condemned Egypt’s detentions of social media users critical of President al-Sisi, highlighting the arbitrary arrests of at least 59 individuals for expressing dissent online as the anniversary of the 2011 revolution approached. Detainees faced serious human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances and torture. Amnesty calls for the release of those arrested and an end to government repression of free speech.
Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of individuals detained in Egypt simply for posting online messages that advocate for an end to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s rule. This crackdown coincided with the anniversary of the 2011 revolution, during which the government ramps up repression to thwart peaceful protests. Since late December 2024, at least 59 people have been arrested due to their online activities, including four women.
The detentions stemmed from posts made on social media accounts such as “Revolution of the Joints,” which criticize the Sisi regime and demand political reform. Many detainees faced weeks of enforced disappearance and incommunicado detention prior to being brought before prosecutors from 8 to 12 February, during which some reported mistreatment.
Mahmoud Shalaby, an Egypt Researcher at Amnesty International, criticized the government’s excessive arrests, stating, “Rather than obsessively arresting dozens of people across the country every year…, the authorities must address the root causes of popular discontent, including economic hardship.”
Amnesty detailed the circumstances of seven male detainees arrested between December and January for expressing dissenting views online. Security forces apprehended them in various locations, including their homes and public streets. Following their arrests, they were taken to National Security Agency facilities, where they were held without being allowed contact with the outside world for several weeks.
During their detention, detainees were interrogated by prosecutors about their personal lives, political views, and the motivations behind their posts, primarily relating to the country’s economic struggles. They faced terrorism-related charges like “joining a terrorist group” and “spreading false news,” warranting a pretrial detention of 15 days pending further investigations.
Detainees reported that the interrogations conducted by the NSA involved abusive tactics, including blindfolding and physical assault. Yet, despite claims of severe mistreatment such as beatings and electric shocks, prosecutors have failed to investigate these allegations, allowing continued violations against detainees.
This situation highlights a pattern where authorities arrested individuals expressing dissent, with previous instances in July 2024 when 119 were detained for similar reasons. These repeated crackdowns indicate a persistent approach by the government to repress civil liberties in response to public discontent over economic hardships and governance issues.
The outlined situation in Egypt presents a troubling scenario of mass detentions and suppression of free expression, particularly surrounding political dissent against the current government. Amnesty International’s report emphasizes the urgent need for the authorities to address these human rights violations and the pressing socio-economic issues affecting citizens. Without reforms or investigations into abuses, the cycle of repression is likely to continue.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
