12 May 18 | Index in the Press
Human rights groups are calling for the release of an Egyptian activist arrested after she posted a video criticizing the government for failing to protect women against sexual harassment.
Amal Fathy, an activist focusing on democratization in Egypt, was arrested alongside her husband — Mohamed Lotfy, director of the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF) — early Friday, Amnesty International said. Read in full.
11 May 18 | Campaigns -- Featured, Egypt, Statements
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Egyptian security forces have targeted one of the last human rights organisations in the country, the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, by detaining executive director Mohamed Lotfy with his wife, Amal Fathy, and their two-year-old-son.
Security officers searched their house, their mobile phones were seized and they were denied the right to communicate with a lawyer or family.
ECRF, a 2018 winner of an Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression award, works on documenting cases concerning torture in prisons and enforced disappearance in an increasingly difficult climate in Egypt where independent voices are suppressed and threatened.
Rachael Jolley, editor of Index on Censorship, said: “It is shocking how the lives of people who are working to make public information about torture in Egyptian prisons and other human rights violations are being threatened. Obviously the intention of this action, and others, is to stop the incredibly brave members of staff at this organisation carrying on with their important work. Index calls on governments around the world to put pressure on Egypt to release Amal Fathy and to shine a spotlight on the Egyptian government’s frightening tactics to stop the public knowing what is going on in that country.”
Authoritarian governments are increasing using arrest, detention or threats to family members to stop human rights activists carrying on with their work.
Lotfy and his son have been released, however his wife Amal Fathy remains in detention. Fathy has been ordered detained for a 15 days by the prosecution.
#الحرية_لأمل_فتحي
#Free_Amal_Fathy
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20 Apr 18 | Index in the Press
Alessio Perrone meets the activists shining light on human rights abuses during Egypt’s dark days. Read the full article
27 Mar 18 | Events
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Doughty Street International’s Media Defence Panel invites you to join a breakfast seminar on freedom of expression and the protection of journalists and human rights activists in Egypt. Hosted in association with Index on Censorship, we will be joined by a representative of the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, Egypt (ECRF), nominees for this year’s Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award for Campaigning.
ECRF is one of the few human rights organisations still operating in Egypt. It provides advocacy, legal support and campaigning expertise to draw attention to human rights abuses taking place under the rule of President Abdel Fattah-el-Sisi. ECRF plays an important role in documenting cases of enforced disappearance and arrests during protests, which are not reported in the heavily censored local media, and in providing legal help for the families of those detained and disappeared. Twice last year ECRF’s headquarters was raided by security forces and two staff members were arrested.
ECRF says: “Our main goal to achieve in the future, which is stated in our mission, is to empower individuals to acquire their rights, promote a culture of democracy in the Egyptian society, and expand human rights to every home in Egypt.”
The seminar will involve a panel and roundtable discussion, including a representative of ECRF; Jodie Ginsberg, Index on Censorship; and Jeremy Dear, Deputy General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”74586″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”99393″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”97988″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
When: Tuesday 17 April 2018 8:15-9:45am
Where: Doughty Street Chambers, 54 Doughty Street, London WC1N2LS (Directions)
Tickets: Free. Registration required via Eventbrite.
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