News

Nearly 2000 arrests in Egypt crackdown – Human Rights Watch

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 03:20 pm

Egypt has arrested nearly 2 000 people in what may be its biggest crackdown since the aftermath of the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Friday.
The authorities have also blocked or interrupted various internet services and websites, in a bid to stamp out any repetition of the open defiance of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi shown by protesters last weekend, the watchdog said.
“Lawyers for detainees have posted on their social media pages several accounts of security forces arbitrarily arresting many people merely for being in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ or possessing critical content on their phones,” HRW said in a statement.
“The government also has deployed uniformed and plainclothes security officers in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities in and around main streets and squares, randomly stopping passersby, searching and questioning people, and forcing them to show the contents of their mobile phones and social media accounts.”
‘Gross violations of international law’
Last weekend’s rare protests against what is widely seen as one of the most authoritarian governments in the Middle East, were triggered by viral videos from exiled businessman Mohamed Aly.
He has called for a “million-man march” and a “people’s revolution” to unseat Sisi, whom he accuses of building lavish palaces while taxpayers grapple with the impact of austerity under an IMF loan programme totalling $12bn.
HRW called on Egypt’s Western allies to suspend military assistance until the government ceases its “gross violations of international law”.
“World leaders should recognise that providing security and military assistance to abusive forces won’t bring stability to Egypt, and that what’s needed instead is a government that respects the rights and freedoms of the Egyptian people,” said its Middle East and North Africa director, Sarah Leah Whitson.

Albert Echetah

Recent Posts

Protesters Demand Wealthy NationsPay Fair Share in Climate Finance amidCOP29

This Thursday morning, some fifty protesters gathered at the COP29 venue's gate, calling onrich countries to fulfill their financial pledges…

November 14, 2024

International Day for Tolerance – UAE is “Home for all” and a “beacon of Tolerance”

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has always been considered an important player in the international business environment. But beyond the…

November 14, 2024

Trump chooses Elon Musk to head government efficiency department

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Musk, who has called for major spending cuts, has been chosen alongside biotech investor Vivek Ramaswamy to…

November 13, 2024

10 Must-Try African Dishes

African cuisine is a delightful combination of flavors, colors, and interlocking textures owing to the variety of cultures and areas.…

November 13, 2024

Somaliland Holds Elections, Reaffirming Self-Declared Independence

Somaliland voters came to the polls on Wednesday to elect a president as the breakaway Somali region seeks international recognition…

November 13, 2024

The 2025 Champions Trophy could be moved to South Africa if Pakistanrejects ICC conditions

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could be moved to South Africa if the Pakistan CricketBoard (PCB) rejects the hybrid model,…

November 12, 2024

This website uses cookies.