UN Experts Demand Egypt Lift Restrictions on Freed Human Rights Defenders

UN human rights experts have called on Egypt to remove ongoing restrictions affecting human rights defenders released from detention. This plea aligns with international human rights standards and addresses significant barriers these individuals face as they attempt to reintegrate into society.

The special rapporteurs highlighted that many of these defenders are subjected to travel bans, asset freezes, and continued inclusion on Egypt’s terrorism watchlist. Such measures hinder their ability to live normal lives, despite having served their sentences or receiving presidential pardons. Notable cases include Gasser Abdel Razek, Karim Ennarah, and Mohamed Bashir, all members of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), who were arrested in November 2020.

Despite their appeals regarding the freezing of assets—a right guaranteed under Egyptian law—these individuals have not achieved success. The experts also cited human rights lawyer Mohamed El-Baqer, who remains on the terrorism watchlist after spending five years in detention. Although he received a presidential pardon in 2023, the restrictions continue to apply. Similarly, Samir Abdel-Hai, arrested in early 2021 and pardoned in summer 2022, faces a travel ban and is officially designated as a “threat to national security.”

Concerns Over Legal Violations

The UN experts criticized Egyptian authorities for criminalizing these defenders under ambiguous counterterrorism laws. They stated, “These human rights defenders were criminalized under vague counterterrorism laws… They should not continue to face restrictions.” The situation raises concerns that Egypt may be violating international agreements, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits arbitrary detention under Article 9, and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which addresses similar issues in Article 6.

Broader Context of Human Rights Violations

The experts’ statements come amid widespread allegations of systemic human rights violations in Egypt. Reports from recent years indicate significant issues, including torture, arbitrary arrests, and restrictions on freedom of expression. These concerns encompass the prosecution of journalists and extensive censorship.

As the UN continues to scrutinize Egypt’s human rights record, the call for lifting restrictions on released defenders underscores a critical challenge facing the nation. The ongoing dialogue between Egyptian authorities and international human rights bodies will be pivotal in determining the future of civil liberties in the country.