Protests turn violent as Egyptians attacked based on affiliation

Egyptian human rights groups join forces to express concern over protests that have turned violent in Cairo's Muqattam district on 22 March 2013.

Rights groups in Egypt call on Morsi to withdraw bill designed to repress them

The Egyptian government is repressing civil society organisations' right to freely carry out their activities by introducing a law that requires government approval of all foreign funding of domestic NGOs.

Constitutional decree in Egypt gives Morsi sweeping powers

President Mohamed Morsi now possesses authorities beyond those enjoyed by any president or monarch in Egypt’s modern history, say rights groups.

Egyptian President sidelines rights groups

Egyptian human rights organizations were recently excluded from participating in a meeting the President had with civil society groups.

Rights groups launch campaign to monitor president’s human rights priorities

The Forum of Independent Egyptian Human Rights Organizations launched a campaign to evaluate the performance of the president-elect during his first 100 days in office on human rights issues, including freedom of expression.

Parliament urged to end state of emergency

The interior minister to release all Emergency Law detainees or refer them to prosecutors to be charged, and ask the public prosecutor to transfer all Emergency State Security Court (ESSC) trials to regular civilian courts, says Human Rights Watch.

ARTICLE 19 outlines how to protect free expression and information in new constitution

The new Constitution is on the verge of being drafted and ARTICLE 19 has produced a comprehensive policy brief outlining how the new Constitution should protect the right to freedom of expression and freedom of information In order to support the forthcoming work of the drafters.

Authorities urged to close case against foreign NGOs, hold ministers accountable

CIHRS, ANHRI, EOHR, and other rights organisations applaud the Supreme Judicial Council for instigating an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case, and recommend that the findings of the investigation be made public.

Multinational telecoms colluded with state during revolution, says CIHRS

"A clear policy of zero tolerance should be adopted by the international community and private companies concerning the cutting off of communications systems at anytime, for any reason," argued CIHRS.

CPJ calls on government to investigate attacks on the press

The organisation has written to the prime minister, bringing to his attention 35 cases of journalists who were attacked when protesters clashed with the military and police.

Twelve rights organisations condemn methods used to repress protests

Peaceful, unarmed protestors were met with excessive force by police and soldiers of the armed forces, leading to the deaths of dozens of protesters and the injury of more than 3000 others.

International community urged to react as free expression situation worsens

As the country embarks on a series of elections that will continue until March, the Supreme Council is showing less and less ability to tolerate fundamental freedoms, says RSF.

Thirty-nine human rights and development organisations propose alternative NGO law

The proposed law follows a further deterioration of the situation of NGOs in the country, including the launch of a smear campaign aimed at damaging the credibility of groups critical of the human rights record of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and its government.

EOHR and ANHRI hold workshop on media in post-revolutionary transition

Website editor Khalid Al Balshi criticised the absence of an access to information law that would enable journalists to write stories of public interest.

Twenty-three NGOs call on transitional authorities to engage in dialogue, meet demands of civil society

In a statement released by CIHRS, organisations condemn the recent revival and expansion of the emergency law by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which constitutes a direct threat to freedom of expression.

Thirty-six NGOs condemn the campaign waged by the authorities against civil society organisations

In a press conference at CIHRS's office in Cairo, and following the submission of a complaint to the relevant UN Special Rapporteurs, the NGOs condemned what they perceived to be a defamation campaign in response to the role played by human rights defenders in exposing abuses committed by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

ANHRI celebrates conclusion of workshop on capacity building for young journalists and citizen journalism

The workshop was partially intended to provide young people with the necessary skills to contribute to media freedom in Libya.

Nineteen years after his assassination, ANHRI honours writer Farag Fouda

Writer Farag Fouda was assassinated in 1992 in connection with opinions he expressed calling for secularism and the exclusion of religion from public affairs.

Human Rights Watch urges military to make clear break with past repressive policies

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) should repeal laws that restrict free expression, association and assembly, and end trials of civilians before military tribunals, Human Rights Watch said.

Human rights defenders, journalists come together to form National Coalition for Media Freedom

The founders started forming specialized work groups assigned to specific projects and programs, in cooperation with international civil society organizations concerned with freedom of information.