Protest and Peaceful Assembly are Right.. HuMENA strongly condemns the broad arrest campaign of protesters in solidarity with Gaza

Brussels,

April 4, 2024.

Following the peaceful protest organized by a group of activists and citizens in front of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate in solidarity with the Palestinian people and denouncing the government policies followed in Gaza, the Egyptian authorities launched a massive arrest campaign that targeted many political activists. On the evening of Wednesday, April 3, and the dawn of Thursday, April 4, security forces stormed the homes of many participants in the peaceful protest and arbitrarily arrested them. Among those arrested are labor activist Mohamed Awwaad and former political prisoner Mostafa Ahmed.

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement strongly condemns this repressive campaign and arbitrary arrests carried out by the Egyptian authorities against activists and human rights defenders. This oppressive behavior is a flagrant violation of internationally guaranteed human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to protest and peaceful assembly. The organization reminds that international conventions protect the rights to protest and peaceful assembly, and among these conventions comes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which affirms the right of individuals to freedom of peaceful assembly and participation in political and public life.

HuMENA urges the Egyptian government to adhere to international human rights conventions, immediately stop arbitrary arrests, and immediately and unconditionally release all detainees. The organization also calls on the international community to intervene immediately to stop these violations and pressure the Egyptian government to assume its responsibilities in protecting citizens’ rights and its commitment to international human rights standards.