UN Experts Demand Egypt Lift Restrictions on Freed Human Rights Defenders

United Nations human rights experts have called for the Egyptian government to remove ongoing restrictions imposed on human rights defenders who have recently been released from detention. These specialists emphasize that such restrictions are inconsistent with international human rights standards and continue to hinder the ability of these individuals to reintegrate into society.

The special rapporteurs highlighted that many human rights defenders face significant barriers, including travel bans, frozen assets, and unjust placement on Egypt’s terrorism watchlist. These measures persist even after individuals have served their sentences or received presidential pardons. Among those affected are prominent figures from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), such as Gasser Abdel Razek, Karim Ennarah, and Mohamed Bashir, who were arrested in November 2020. Despite their appeals against asset freezes—rights that are guaranteed under Egyptian law—they have not succeeded in regaining access to their funds.

Another critical case is that of Mohamed El-Baqer, a human rights lawyer who remains on Egypt’s terrorism watchlist following his release in 2023 after serving five years in prison on multiple charges. Similarly, Samir Abdel-Hai, arrested in early 2021 and pardoned in the summer of 2022, continues to face travel restrictions and is designated as a “threat to national security.”

The UN experts criticized the Egyptian authorities, stating that “[t]hese human rights defenders were criminalized under vague counterterrorism laws… They should not continue to face restrictions.” Their remarks indicate that Egypt may be in violation of both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits arbitrary detention under Article 9, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which also prohibits arbitrary detention in Article 6.

Concerns raised by the experts coincide with broader allegations of systemic human rights violations in Egypt. Over recent years, significant issues have been reported, including torture, arbitrary arrests and detentions, and increasing restrictions on freedom of expression. These restrictions have notably affected journalists and led to widespread censorship across various media platforms.

The urgent plea from UN experts highlights a pressing need for reform in Egypt’s approach to human rights, particularly regarding the treatment of those who advocate for civil liberties. The continuation of these restrictions not only undermines the rights of these individuals but also raises critical questions about the overall human rights landscape in the country.