Members of Jordan’s Darak forces (gendarmerie) stand on guard as protesters demonstrate against measures imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19 amidst concerns over the economy, in Amman, Jordan, 15 March 2021, KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP via Getty Images March 2021 in Middle East and North Africa: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX s Regional Editor Naseem Tarawnah, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.
Egypt targets its critics abroad. New moves to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its human rights record. Heightened calls for the release of Bahrain’s prisoners of conscience. Authorities in Morocco charge critical journalists with sex crimes. Silencing coverage of a royal rift in Jordan.
Free Ahmed Samir, Ongoing Protest All Around The World (Photo by Amnesty International)
Ahmed Samir Santawy is a master’s student at Central European University (Austria), whose research focuses on the history of female reproductive rights in Egypt.
Ahmed has been arrested by the Egyptian authorities in Cairo during a home visit on February 1 and was accused of “joining a terrorist organization”, “financing a terrorist organization” and “spreading false news on social media”. The allegations are unfounded and he is now in pre-trial detention, extended three times without legal representation. The case is dramatically similar to those of other international researchers and students persecuted and unjustly imprisoned by the Egyptian authorities, such as Patrick George Zaki and Walid al-Shobaky.
A picture taken during a guided tour organized by the Egyptian State Information Service shows a policeman walking in front of a mural in Tora prison, Cairo, 11 November 2019, MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP via Getty Images A number of IFEX member organizations call on the Egyptian authorities to stop violating academic freedom, enable Egyptian and foreign researchers to work freely, and guarantee their freedom of movement. They also stress the need to release Santawy and Patrick George Zaki.
The undersigned organizations call on the Egyptian authorities to release Ahmed Samir Santawy, a master’s researcher at the Central European University (CEU) in Austria, who has been arbitrarily detained for two months and deprived of continuing his study in Austria. The organizations also call for an investigation into the enforced disappearance and beating of Santawy.
Egypt: Release researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy and stop violating academic freedom article19.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from article19.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Detention and Abuse of Egyptian Student is Part of Ongoing Assault on Free Expression, Academic Freedom
Detention and Abuse of Egyptian Student is Part of Ongoing Assault on Free Expression, Academic Freedom
Ahmed Samir Santawy is currently being held in solitary confinement facing trumped-up charges
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2021
(New York, NY) PEN America today joined with free expression allies globally demanding the release of Egyptian student Ahmed Samir Santawy, who is currently being held in solitary confinement in Egypt facing wholly unfounded charges. PEN America says his ongoing harassment and detention is unjust and reflects Egyptian authorities’ ongoing assault on free expression and academic freedom.