Detentions underscore volatile environment for journalists in Egypt and reflect broader regional tensions 

Location: Cairo, Egypt

Date: April 24, 2024

Women Press Freedom stands resolutely against the unlawful treatment of journalists Rasha Azab, Iman Aouf, and Hadeer al-Mahdawy by Egyptian authorities. These journalists were detained under distressing circumstances during their peaceful protest advocating for women's rights in Gaza and Sudan. Although their subsequent release is a relief, it does not absolve the misuse of power or the serious charges they still face. The secretive manner of their detention and the subsequent lack of access to legal representation underscores a troubling disregard for legal standards and human rights. The broader context of these arrests, amid a crackdown on pro-Palestine demonstrations, reveals a concerning trend of stifling press freedom in Egypt, one of the world's largest jailers of journalists. The incidents involving journalists from Mada Masr last month and the ongoing suppression of media freedom are indicative of a severe and worsening environment for journalists in Egypt. We urge the Egyptian authorities to uphold international human rights standards, including the freedom of the press and the right to protest, by dropping all charges against these journalists and closing the cases against them. The international community must also rally to demand accountability and support a free press and a just society for all. These actions by the Egyptian security forces not only breach the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights but also betray any commitment to human rights and justice.

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Three journalists were arrested in Cairo, along with 16 activists, during a protest demanding rights for women in Gaza and Sudan. The journalists, Rasha Azab, Iman Aouf, and Hadeer al-Mahdawy, were released following their arrest on April 23 outside the UN Women's regional office.

The journalists were covering a peaceful demonstration disrupted by police intervention. Following their arrest, they were taken to an undisclosed location and initially denied contact with their lawyers and families, according to sources close to the detainees. Their whereabouts were later confirmed by the National Security Agency headquarters to the head of the Maadi Lawyers Syndicate branch.

These arrests are part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestine demonstrations in Cairo and reflect the ongoing suppression of press freedom in Egypt. The country is known as one of the world's most prolific jailers of journalists, a reputation that has persisted under the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi since the 2013 coup. Last month, Mada Masr journalist Rana Mamdouh was detained while on assignment, and in February, the outlet's editor, Lina Attalah, faced charges of "publishing false news without checking its sources" and "running a website without a license."

On April 24, Rasha Azab, Iman Aouf, and Hadeer al-Mahdawy were presented at the Supreme State Security Prosecution office. Many protesters, including journalists Azab and Ouf, faced high bail amounts for their release.

Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the unjustified treatment of journalists Rasha Azab, Iman Aouf, and Hadeer al-Mahdawy by the authorities. Even though their release following an unfair arrest is welcomed, we denounce the authorities misusing their power to crack down on the journalists, activists, lawyers, and human rights defenders. It is crucial that the Egyptian government respects the rights of protestors, including the journalists who joined them, and allows them to express their views without the fear of reprisal. Women Press Freedom reiterates our demand to drop all charges and close the cases filed against them. We also urge the international community to stand with us in this call for a free press and just society and demand immediate action against such human rights violations. What happened with the journalists, lawyers, and activists in Cairo clearly violated the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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