Egypt: UN experts welcome release of Hossam Bahgat but
concerns remain on the situation of journalists and rights defenders
GENEVA (11 November 2015) – The UN Special Rapporteur on
freedom of expression, David Kaye, and the Special Rapporteur on the situation
of human rights defenders, Michel Forst, while welcoming the release of Hossam
Bahgat, today reiterate grave concern at the situation of fear and intimidation
of journalists and human rights defenders which inhibit the legitimate exercise
of their rights and the performance of their work in Egypt.
“Hossam Bahgat has been a leading member of the human
rights community in Egypt for well over a decade, shining a spotlight on abuses
through his fact-finding and investigative journalism,” said David Kaye.
According to reliable information, Mr. Bahgat was detained by military
authorities on 8 November, during investigation solely based on his writing and
work as journalist, and was then released today.
"Even after his release, his detention sends a
signal of disrespect for the very principles of freedom of expression that
President Sisi only days ago claimed his government upheld," added the UN
expert.
"We are deeply concerned that the fear of
criminalization and of being detained, even if not ultimately charged, creates
an environment that deters reporting and intimidates writers and activists of
all kinds," said Michel Forst.
“This adds to the already very difficult environment in
which journalists and human rights defenders operate in Egypt. According to
credible reporting, we understand that dozens of reporters are being held by
Egyptian authorities today," the UN experts stressed.
This statement is endorsed by the Chair-Rapporteur of the
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Seong-Phil Hong; the Special Rapporteur
on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai;
the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, Juan Méndez; and the Special Rapporteur on the
independence of judges and lawyers, Mónica Pinto.
ENDS
Michel Forst (France) was appointed by the Human Rights
Council as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
in 2014.
Learn more, log on to:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/SRHRDefenders/Pages/SRHRDefendersIndex.aspx
David Kaye (USA) was appointed as Special Rapporteur on
the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
in August 2014 by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Learn more, log on
to: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomOpinion/Pages/OpinionIndex.aspx
The UN Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as
the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the
largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights, is the general name
of the independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms of the Human Rights
Council that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in
all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis;
they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are
independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual
capacity.
UN Human Rights, Country Page – Egypt:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/MENARegion/Pages/EGIndex.aspx
For further information and media requests, Victoria
Kuhn, UN Human Rights in Geneva (+41 22 917 9278 / vkuhn@ohchr.org)
For media inquiries related to other UN independent
experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917
9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)
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