UN calls on Egypt to end pressure on independent journalists
The UN Human Rights Office urged Egypt to stop targeting independent journalism and release the entire newsroom of fact-checking outlet Matsadaash. Six journalists remain in pretrial detention, with another extension reported on the day of the appeal. The UN also called for an investigation into lawyers’ allegations of torture and coerced confessions.
Geopolitics··Night
UN calls for an end to pressure on journalism
The UN Human Rights Office urged Egypt on 10 November to stop targeting and harassing independent journalists and news outlets. Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan described widening attacks on press freedom and called for those actions to end.[1], [2]
The office demanded the immediate, unconditional release of six journalists from Matsadaash, an independent Egyptian fact-checking outlet whose entire newsroom is detained. It called for charges stemming from their journalistic work to be dropped.[1]
Six journalists remain in pretrial detention
Egyptian prosecutors renewed the journalists’ pretrial detention for another 15 days, the third extension. Defence lawyer Nabeh Elganady said the hearing took place by video link. The journalists were arrested on 28 and 29 September. The UN named them as Mohamed Ashraf Abu Emeira, Abdallah Qadry, Islam Barakat, Omar Helal, Mohamed Mahmoud and Mohamed Adel.[1]
Torture allegations prompt an investigation appeal
Lawyers allege that the journalists suffered torture and other mistreatment and were forced to record fabricated confessions. The UN called for urgent, independent investigations and accountability. Prosecutors had previously rejected torture allegations, citing a forensic examination. The UN also urged an end to proceedings against Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of independent Egyptian news outlet Mada Masr.[1]
