Arrests in Egypt: Over 120 Individuals Detained for Pro-Palestine Activities
Unleashing the Iron Fist: Egypt's Crackdown on Palestinian Solidarity
In an eyebrow-raising move, Egyptian authorities have slapped charges on a staggering 180+ individuals, not just 120, for standing in solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters amid the ongoing conflict. This alarming development falls under the umbrella of a broader suppression of pro-Palestinian activities, escalating as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen.
According to a report released by the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) on Thursday, their lawyers had represented these arrested individuals in 16 separate cases before Egypt's Supreme State Security Prosecution. As of today, 90 people—including two minors—are still languishing in pre-trial detention.
The latest arrests include five men from Alexandria, apprehended from their homes for their activism within a Palestinian solidarity committee on 30th April. Shadi Mohammed, a local trade unionist from Alexandria, joins their ranks, accused of forming a terrorist group with the intent of overthrowing the regime and disrupting public peace by organizing gatherings and disseminating false information. All six men remain in pre-trial detention.
Six more Egyptians—two minors included—were detained for scribbling messages of support for Palestinians on Dar el-Salam bridge in Cairo.
The detentions began from the opening month of the war in October 2023. At least 28 people were arrested near Tahrir Square in Cairo on the 24th and 25th of October following mass protests against Israel's war on Gaza, all detained under terrorism laws, with neither their families nor legal representatives informed of their whereabouts.
On the 27th of October, 11 others were held in pre-trial detention for their role in pro-Palestine demonstrations that took place near al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo. The list of arbitrarily detained citizens continues to grow, with at least 11 more individuals brought to justice for posts expressing solidarity with Palestinians on social media, and 14 for participating in a protest outside the Journalists Syndicate in the capital.
19 women—researchers, lawyers, journalists, and students—were detained for partaking in a demonstration outside the United Nations' Women headquarters in Cairo.
The EIPR vehemently asserted the "constitutional and legal obligation of all Egyptian authorities to guarantee and protect the right of all Egyptians to express their political opinion in all peaceful forms." They further emphasized that this freedom of expression extends to solidarity with Palestinians, denunciations of Israeli crimes, and even opposition to the official Egyptian stance on the war. In conclusion, they demanded the immediate release of all detainees charged for expressing their support for Palestine and the dropping of all charges levied against them.
This call for justice comes on the heels of reports that Saudi Arabia has embarked upon a crackdown on citizens expressing critical views regarding Israel's war. Among the detainees are an executive from a company involved in Vision 2030 and a media personality who declared that "Israel should never be forgiven." Another individual advocated for boycotting American fast-food restaurants in the kingdom.
The Egyptian authorities' heavy-handed approach to unwavering support for Palestinians mirrors a "security first" stance, casting aside humanitarian concerns and international solidarity efforts in favor of prioritizing their own domestic and regional security interests. This questionable approach has attracted criticism for suppressing certain Palestinian political groups, especially those with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is outlawed in Egypt, as well as for continuing to enforce strict border controls, particularly at the Rafah crossing, contributing to the ongoing Israeli-led blockade of Gaza.
- The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) condemned the Egyptian authorities for charging over 180 individuals for showing solidarity with Palestine, stating it is a violation of individuals' right to express political opinions peacefully.
- The EIPR highlighted that freedom of expression in Egypt extends to solidarity with Palestinians, denunciations of Israeli crimes, and even opposition to the official Egyptian stance on the war, asserting that this freedom must be protected.
- The report revealed that arrests of Egyptians for pro-Palestine activities began in October 2023, with at least 28 individuals arrested near Tahrir Square for participating in mass protests against Israel's war on Gaza.
- In response to the Egyptian crackdown, Saudi Arabia has also allegedly detained citizens for expressing critical views regarding Israel's war, including a media personality advocating for never forgiving Israel and an executive from a company involved in Vision 2030.
- The EIPR demanded the immediate release of all detainees charged for expressing support for Palestine and the dropping of all charges against them, questioning the Egyptian authorities' prioritization of domestic and regional security interests over humanitarian concerns and international solidarity efforts.
- The current situation raises concerns about the suppression of certain Palestinian political groups, particularly those with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, and the enforcement of strict border controls, such as at the Rafah crossing, which contributes to the ongoing Israeli-led blockade of Gaza.
