15 June 2006

Alert

May was the worst month for freedom of expression in last quarter century, says HRinfo


(HRinfo/IFEX) - The following is a 14 June 2006 HRinfo press release:

May was the worst month for freedom of expression during the last quarter century

Cairo, 14 June 2006 - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo) issued a briefing paper today on the violations perpetrated by the Egyptian government against freedom of expression during only one month. More than 35 cases of violations were perpetrated against journalists, poets, bloggers, and lawyers.

The paper, entitled "Policemen scored it out of the dictionary: Freedom of Expression is not desired in Egypt", deals with the period from 24 April to 25 May 2006. During this period, violations were committed against journalists, correspondents, cyber activists, and lawyers. Cameras were confiscated, films destroyed, and violations reached the extent of torture and sexual harassment. This is in addition to arrests and trials.

The paper aims to shed light on these violations without providing any recommendations to the Egyptian government, which has confirmed through previous experiences that it does not paymuch attention to such reports. HRinfo thus considers that it is sufficient to put forward a complete picture to Egyptian and international public opinion in order to reveal the falseness of governmental claims of respect for human rights and freedom of expression.

This briefing paper includes all information gathered by HRinfo. We believe that more violations have taken place that HRinfo and other human rights groups are not aware of. These cases serve as examples to show that the month that included World Press Freedom Day and the Egyptian President's birthday was the worst month in the history of press freedom and freedom of expression during the period of Mubarak's presidency throughout the last quarter century.

To read the report, visit: http://www.hrinfo.net/en/reports



Source:

Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
10 Elwy Street
Apartment 5
Behind the Central Bank
Downtown Cairo
Egypt
info (@) anhri.net
Phone: +202 239 64058
Fax: +202 239 64058
 

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Egypt

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