Amnesty International urges for the immediate release of 59 individuals detained in Egypt for supporting calls to end President Sisi’s rule via social media. This crackdown accompanies the anniversary of the 2011 revolution, reflecting heightened government repression. Detainees report severe mistreatment and charges related to terrorism, prompting concerns about freedom of expression and the lasting impact of economic crises on public discontent.
Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of approximately 59 individuals who have been arbitrarily detained in Egypt for expressing support on social media for calls to end President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s regime. This crackdown coincides with the anniversary of the January 25th revolution, a period when authorities typically increase repressive measures to deter peaceful protests.
Among those detained are at least four women, arrested since late December 2024 for engaging with content on a Facebook page and Telegram channel titled ‘Revolution of the Joints,’ which critiques the current government and demands political reforms. Authorities only presented detainees to prosecutors between February 8 and 12, 2025, after enduring periods of enforced disappearance and alleged physical abuse.
Mahmoud Shalaby, a researcher at Amnesty International, stated that government efforts should focus on addressing the root causes of public dissatisfaction, such as economic challenges, instead of perpetuating mass arrests. He emphasized the audacity of the authorities in imprisoning citizens who voice their concerns regarding their deteriorating economic rights.
Amnesty documented cases of seven men detained from late December 2024 to mid-January 2025 for social media postings. The majority were arrested at home or in public across various governorates. Following their arrests, these individuals faced weeks of incommunicado detention, during which some experienced severe mistreatment before their eventual appearances before a prosecutor.
The detainees were interrogated about their social circles, political opinions, and motivations for their posts related to government change. The common reason cited was the acute economic crisis impacting their daily lives. During the investigation, they faced terrorism-related charges, leading to pretrial detentions while the prosecutors failed to address allegations of torture or mistreatment occurring during interrogations.
This incident marks another instance of arbitrary detentions linked to pro-democracy expressions in Egypt, with a previous wave of arrests occurring in July 2024, involving 119 individuals amid calls for protests driven by rising economic dissatisfaction, emphasizing a pattern of suppression against dissenting voices.
The ongoing arbitrary detentions in Egypt, particularly of social media users advocating for political change, highlight the systemic repression by the government against expressions of dissent. As Amnesty International calls for their release, it is evident that authorities must address the fundamental issues prompting public unrest, particularly economic struggles, rather than resorting to oppressive tactics. This pattern of repression not only undermines freedom of expression but also prolongs the suffering of citizens already facing immense economic hardship, pointing to a critical need for change in governmental policies and practices.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
