Ethiopia rejects Egyptian-Sudanese plan for international mediati alaraby.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from alaraby.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Egyptian rights activists in the United States are accusing the government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of targeting their loved ones to pressure them into silence, spurring calls for President Joe Biden to put pressure on Egypt to address its human rights record.
Sherif Mansour, the Washington, DC-based Middle East and North Africa programme coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists, said Egyptian security forces raided three of his relatives’ homes in Egypt since August 20, arresting several people.
All but one have been released; his cousin Reda was accused of being a member of a “terrorist organisation” and remains in detention pending trial.
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A crane lifts the wreckage of a truck which was hit by the train a day after the deadly train derailment at a tunnel north of Hualien, Taiwan April 3, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang
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People watch as they drive through Easter themed tents after receiving kits to host their own Covid-19 pandemic safe celebrations during a drive-in Easter Eggstravaganza for children in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP)
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In this photograph taken on April 2, 2021 an owl is pictured at Yala National Park in the southern district of Yala, some 250 kms southwest of Colombo. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP)
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of the strong strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt, particularly in security and ongoing counterterrorism cooperation, and exchanged views on regional issues. The Secretary raised concerns over human rights, which he emphasized would be central to the U.S.-Egypt bilateral relationship, and Egypt’s potential procurement of Su-35 fighter aircraft from Russia. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Shoukry also discussed supporting UN-facilitated peace negotiations in Libya, the Middle East Peace Process, and counterterrorism cooperation in the Sinai.
The Media Line Staff 02/23/2021
Human rights will be central to the relationship between the United States and Israel, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Blinken raised concerns over human rights during his conversation with Shoukry on Tuesday, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.
Blinken also raised concerns about Egypt’s possible purchase of Su-35 fighter aircraft from Russia, according to the statement. The two men also discussed “supporting UN-facilitated peace negotiations in Libya, the Middle East peace process, and counterterrorism cooperation in the Sinai.
In addition, according to the statement, Blinken and Shoukry “highlighted the importance of the strong strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt, particularly in security and ongoing counterterrorism cooperation, and exchanged views on regional issues.”