12/05/2020 Egypt (International Christian Concern) – Egypt’s State Security Prosecution ordered on Thursday the release of three senior Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) staff arrested last month. They are facing charges that include accusations of belonging to a terrorist group and disseminating fake news. EIPR is a human rights organization who documents these issues, including religious freedom, in Egypt.
Egyptian authorities have long been pursuing a campaign of silencing dissent and free speech, but this campaign has greatly escalated in recent months. By targeting human rights activists such as EIPR staff, Egypt is making it criminal for victims of human rights abuses to speak out about their experiences. It is a message that is strongly felt by the Christian community and further isolates them from accessing the resources to make their voices heard on religious freedom issues.
The release of the EIPR staff came on the heels of substantial foreign pressure, and while their future remains undecided, it shows the importance of engagement on Egypt’s current human rights situation.
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
