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Egypt

Egypt

Egypt remains one of the most restrictive environments for free expression in the Middle East and North Africa, with authorities targeting writers, journalists, artists, and human rights defenders through repressive tactics including surveillance, judicial harassment, smear campaigns, threats, and travel bans. Since President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi took power in 2014, authorities have tightened control over the media and cultural sectors, with independent voices frequently silenced through vague anti-terrorism, cybercrime, and other national security laws. 

A large crowd gathers in a city square during daylight, holding flags and banners. Surrounding buildings and a tall tower are visible in the background. The scene suggests a protest or demonstration.
Photo: Gigi Ibrahim, CC 2.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en Author: Gigi Ibrahim from Cairo, Egypt

What You Need to Know

Egypt consistently ranks in the Top 10 jailers of writers PEN America’s Freedom to Write Index. This is due to the widespread use of lengthy, indefinite pretrial detentions, where individuals are held for years without formal charges or trial.

The number of writers held in prolonged pretrial detention tripled in 2024, showing a sharp escalation in the use of indefinite imprisonment without trial.

The high number of imprisoned writers is driven by the regular use of vaguely worded national security laws, such as those targeting “spreading false news,” “belonging to a terrorist group,” or “misusing social media,” to justify arbitrary detention.

News

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Individual Cases

  • Black and white portrait of a man with short hair and a trimmed beard, wearing a plain white shirt, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. The background is blurred.

    Galal El-Behairy

    Status:

    Targeted for his lyrics in the protest song “Balaha” and a book of poetry entitled The Finest Women on Earth,… More

  • A man with curly hair, glasses, and a beard smiles broadly while wearing a plaid shirt over a white t-shirt. The background is blurred with abstract patterns.

    Alaa Abd El Fattah

    Status:

    Activist and blogger Abd El Fattah was first arrested in 2014 and served five years in prison until March 2019.… More

  • A young man with short curly hair and a trimmed beard looks ahead seriously while standing outdoors among a crowd of people. The background is bright and slightly blurred.

    Ahmed Douma

    Status:

    A poet, activist, and blogger, Douma was first arrested in 2013 due to his prominent role in the 2011 Egyptian… More

  • A man with short curly hair and a mustache, wearing a navy blue patterned shirt, stands in front of yellow wooden shutters, looking at the camera with a slight smile.

    Ahmed Naji

    Status:

    Charged with ‘violating public modesty’ for sexual content in his novel The Use of Life, Naji served 10 months in… More

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