Civil Society in Egypt… September 2023
Parties, Syndicates and Human Rights

Section One: Egyptian Political Parties

 

Homeland Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan Party):

 

Homeland Future Party continued its activities to support the president by organizing charitable activities to increase his popularity before the beginning of the next presidential elections.

 

• The party announced at the beginning of September the launch of an initiative to help families access school supplies at discounted prices in Giza, Asyut, and Beni-suef
• The party organized medical convoys in Giza and distributed Mawlid al-Nabawi sweets in Luxor.
• On September 6, ElSaid Abdel Azim, the party’s representative at the National Dialogue, criticized the film director Khaled Youssef’s statement that the state is imposing royalties on the film industry in Egypt and requested the removal of his statement from the archives.

 

The Constitution Party (Al Dostour Party):

 

This month, the Constitution Party has been considering whether to participate in the presidential elections or not, in addition, the party has issued its condemnation of the actions of the security authorities, including the arrests and detention of political activists. Before the end of the month, the party announced the approval of the party’s supreme body and the general assembly to endorse Mrs. Gameela Ismail’s candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for December on behalf of the party.”

 

• On August 30, the party participated in the press conference of the Free Movement regarding the case of Hisham Qasim, demanding his release.
• On September 4, the Party affirmed that the remarks of Emad Gad do not represent the party’s stance. The party also clarified that these remarks do not represent the common positions between the Party and the Free Movement’s parties, especially the shared position on the Palestinian issue and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the recovery of their lands.
• On September 6, Walid Nasr, a party member, and a Civil Movement representative, advocated during a session of the ‘Human Rights and Public Freedoms’ committee in the national dialogue for the end of pretrial detention for opposition figures. He also called for addressing issues such as enforced disappearances and torture, to criminalize these practices in accordance with international treaties.
• On September 18, the party expressed deep concern about the security blockade and arrests that targeted the potential presidential candidate Mr. Ahmed El-Tantawi. This campaign led to the detention of three lawyers and dozens of members from various governorates who were part of his election campaign. This casts a dark shadow on the electoral process’s integrity, freedom, and fairness.
• On September 19, the supreme body of the party decided to suspend participation in the Free Movement until the convening of the general assembly and the vote on the decision by its members.
• On September 20, the party announced the approval of the party’s supreme body and the general assembly to endorse Mrs. Gameela Ismail’s candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for December on behalf of the party.

 

Egyptian Social Democratic Party:

 

This month, the Egyptian Democratic Social Party intensified its discussions about the presidential elections, the party’s requirements to ensure sufficient guarantees for the electoral process, and the complete neutrality of state institutions among the candidates. After numerous discussions, Farid Zahran, the party’s president, announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections.

 

• On August 31, as part of the Democratic Civil Movement, the party called for the immediate release of Hisham Qasim. The movement also expressed its respect for his rival, Kamal Abu Aita.
• On September 3rd, the Women’s Secretariat and the Fayoum Governorate Secretariat of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party held a symposium on ‘Violence against Women,’ with the participation of Eng. Bassem Kamel, Secretary-General of the Party.”
• On September 13, Farid Zahran, the party president, strongly condemned the arrest of Dr. Mohamed Zahran, the founder of the Independent Teachers’ Movement. Dr. Mohamed Zahran had participated in one of the national dialogue sessions, speaking about the absence of union work and raising questions about the teachers’ fund.
• On September 21, Farid Zahran, the party president, announced that the majority of the supreme body of the Egyptian Democratic Social Party had approved his candidacy for the presidential elections.

 

Socialist Popular Alliance Party:

 

The Socialist Popular Alliance Party began the month by launching the “Two Terms Are Enough” campaign, expressing their opposition to President Sisi’s potential reelection for another term. The party concluded by declaring its full solidarity with the presidential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi’s campaign following the arrest of several of its members

 

• On August 25, the party launched its initiative regarding the guarantees for the upcoming presidential elections and the respect for constitutional principles.
• On September 2nd, a group of politicians, public figures, and individuals interested in public affairs gathered at the party headquarters under the slogan “Two Terms Are Enough.” They had been invited by the party to engage in a serious and extensive discussion about the upcoming presidential elections.
• On September 13, the party issued a statement expressing its full solidarity with the campaign of potential presidential candidate Ahmed Tantawi following the arrest of a number of its members.

 

Bread and Freedom Party (Under Establishment):

 

The Bread and Freedom Party expressed its support for the writer and publisher Hisham Qassem. Additionally, the party extended its solidarity with presidential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi following the detention of several members of his election campaign.

 

• On September 5, the party called for a presidential pardon for activist Mohamed Adel, who had been sentenced to 4 years in prison in a freedom of thought and expression case.
• On September 14, the party strongly condemned the arrest of 35 members of Ahmed Al-Tantawi’s campaign, as well as the union leader Dr. Mohamed Zahran. They view this as a disturbing signal, possibly marking the conclusion of the path toward political reform and tranquility.
• On September 25, the party issued a statement condemning Nile Linen Group’s decision to terminate the employment of 15 workers and expressed its solidarity with their legitimate demands.

 

Conservative Party: 

 

The Conservative Party persisted in advocating for social issues and addressing the concerns of investors in the agricultural sector. The party submitted a memorandum regarding the guarantees for the upcoming presidential elections to the National Election Authority. One of the provisions in this memorandum was to prevent the use of state facilities in favor of any of the candidates and to allow foreign human rights organizations to monitor the elections.

 

• On September 2nd, the Conservative Party hosted several investors from the agricultural sector to address the challenges they are encountering.
• On September 3, the official page of the Conservative Party published a report on the trial of the publisher and writer Hisham Qassem. The report was titled “When the Economic Court Turns into a Military Barracks.”
• On September 11, the party opted to halt its involvement in the national dialogue sessions, satisfied with the ideas it had already put forward. It deemed further continuation or extension of these sessions as unproductive, particularly with the presidential elections drawing near.
• On September 14th, the Conservative Party canceled its celebration of Teacher’s Day following the arrest of Dr. Mohamed Zahran, the founder of the Independent Teachers’ Syndicates. The Conservative Party called for a protest and a press conference at its headquarters in Garden City to demand the release of Dr. Mohamed Zahran. However, they decided to postpone the press conference and the protest.

 

National Progressive Unionist Party: 

 

• The most important activity was hosting presidential candidate Farid Zahran, head of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, on September 16.

 

Al Wafd Party:

 

• This month, the party’s main activities centered on endorsing the candidacy of the party leader, Abdel-Sanad Yamama, for the upcoming presidential elections. Furthermore, the party released a statement in support of a campaign that seeks to halt the attacks on Cairo’s historic cemeteries.

 

Justice Party:

 

• This month, the Justice Party’s activities were centered on organizing a seminar discussing personal status laws and convening a meeting with the potential presidential candidate, Farid Zahran, who also serves as the president of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party. Concurrently, the party advocated for the immediate release of Hisham Qassem and expressed its support for his rival, Kamal Abu Aita.

 

The Revolutionary Socialists Movement:

 

• This month, the movement announced its solidarity with the writer and publisher Hisham Qassem and expressed its solidarity with the presidential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi following the arrest of members of his election campaign. The movement also condemned the demolition of historical cemeteries in Cairo and denounced the arrest of Dr. Mohamed Zahran, the founder of the Independent Teachers’ Movement. Additionally, representatives of the movement met with the presidential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi and several members of his election campaign, expressing their solidarity with campaign members who have been facing security crackdowns and arrests at the hands of the National Security Agency, with dozens of them detained.

 

Section Two: Professional and Labor Unions in Egypt

 

Professional Unions:

 

• Egyptian Journalists Syndicate:

 

The activities of the Journalists’ Syndicate this month are divided between supporting cases of imprisonment of some of its members and showing solidarity with journalists who are being tried or detained.

 

• On September 14, the Photography Division of the Journalists’ Syndicate conducted a workshop titled ‘The Present and Future of Sports Photography.’
• Additionally, the Journalists’ Syndicate Council extended its thanks to the President for his interest and the decision to increase the ‘training and technology’ allowance.
• Moreover, the Syndicate’s President filed reports with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Interior concerning the issuance of fake syndicate identities to citizens through fraudulent entities, leading to the arrest and subsequent detention of the suspect
• “On September 19, the Journalists’ Syndicate declared the conclusion of the dispute concerning the workers at the BBC Cairo office. This resolution followed a series of work strikes and resulted in a mutually accepted agreement regarding the salaries of journalists. This agreement led to salary increments ranging from 75% to 142% for journalists and staff at the Cairo office. Additionally, assurances were made to review the maximum expenditure limits in certain healthcare aspects.”

 

• Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions:

 

• This month, the Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions activities were primarily focused on suspending certain singers, withdrawing singing licenses from others, and conducting inquiries with a female singer due to what the syndicate considered inappropriate expressions.

 

• Egyptian Lawyers Syndicate:

 

• One of the most significant events for the syndicate was its success in exerting pressure to secure the release of the lawyer Osama Ibrahim, who had previously been arrested for posting criticisms on Facebook.

 

• Egyptian Teachers Syndicate:

 

• On September 6, a security force apprehended Dr. Mohamed Abdel Karim Mohamed Zahran, the founder of the Independent Teachers’ Movement. He was held in enforced disappearance until he faced interrogation on September 12 by the State Security Prosecution. Afterward, he received a 15-day detention order pending investigations in case number 2123 of 2023, under the authority of the State Security Supreme. On September 16, the State Security Prosecution made the decision to release Zahran on bail, with his place of residence serving as the guarantee.

 

• Egyptian Syndicate of Imams and Preachers:

 

• On September 18, the military spokesman announced the graduation of the first batch of imams trained at the Reserve Officers College for positions in the Ministry of Endowments.

 

• Egyptian Engineers Syndicate EES:

 

• EES decided to distribute the planned pension raise of 300 pounds covering both July and August.

 

• Egyptian Medical Syndicate:

 

• The union’s efforts were primarily directed towards providing support to doctors who were detained, including Dr. Hani Suleiman and Dr. Ahmed Al-Tabbakh. The case involving the assault on Dr. Al-Sayyed Abdel Khaleq Al-Darki has been rescheduled for the October 14th session, during which the civil lawsuit will be announced.

 

• Cinema Professions Syndicate:

 

• On September 5th, the Cinema Professions Syndicate made a series of resolutions aimed at establishing guidelines for the upcoming period. These resolutions included the determination of minimum wages and working hours. These decisions were prompted by significant challenges in the film and television industry, including inadequate working conditions, inequitable employment contracts, and inadequate compensation for workers.

 

• Acting Professions Syndicate:

 

• On September 25, the Administrative Court dismissed the lawsuit aimed at expelling artist Mohamed Ramadan from union membership and prohibiting him from acting and singing. The plaintiff’s argument was based on the claim that Ramadan’s art contradicted the customs and traditions of Egyptian society.

 

• Media Syndicate:

 

• On August 27, the Terrorism Circuit at Cairo Criminal Court, held at the Badr Prison Complex, ruled to extend the detention of journalist Hala Fahmy for 45 days in relation to Case No. 441 of 2022, a State Security Case.

 

• Quran Reciters Syndicate:

 

• On August 30, the head of the Holy Quran Reciters Syndicate instructed the syndicate’s legal counsel to file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor against the individual who had posted an incident on social media (he was composing while holding an oud and reciting the Quran with music). On September 9, the composer Ahmed Hegazy published a statement on his Facebook page apologizing for composing the Quranic verses.

 

• On September 20, Sheikh Helmy El-Gamal, the Quran reciter on radio and television, announced his apology to the head of the Quran Readers Syndicate for what he had previously expressed in his article, in which he accused some members of the syndicate of lacking proper Quran memorization. Subsequently, the legal cases that had been filed were dropped.

 

• Nurses Syndicate:

 

• On September 4, the leader of the Nursing Syndicate held a meeting with the Minya governor, during which she presented a catalog of 40 unregistered, unofficial training centers that are providing inadequate training for nursing professionals in the Minya governorate.

 

• General Syndicate of Tourist Guides:

• On September 2, the head of the caretaker committee of the syndicate addressed the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Ministry of Finance, urging an increase in the minimum daily wage for tour guides. The wage paid by tourism companies will be raised to 1000 Egyptian pounds per day, instead of the previously set 700 Egyptian pounds since 2017. He explained that the current demand to raise the minimum wage to 1000 Egyptian pounds is due to the cost of living conditions. This request was approved, and it will be implemented starting from October 1st.

 

Labor Unions:

 

• General Union of the Egyptian Ambulance Authority:

 

• On September 9, the Terrorism circuit at Cairo Criminal Court, held at the Badr Prison Complex, decided to renew the detention of the worker Sameh Zakaria for 45 days pending the investigations in Case No. 2412 of 2022, State Security Case.

 

• General Union of Public Transport Authority Workers:

 

• On September 16, the Terrorism Curcuit at Cairo Criminal  Court at Badr Prison decided to extend the detention of the driver, Mohamed Hashem Farghaly, for an additional 45 days pending Case No. 184 of 2023, a State Security case.

 

• General Union of Spinning and Weaving Workers:

 

• On September 20, workers at Nile Linen Group went on strike because the management ignored their demands and disbursed financial dues. With the workers going on strike the next day, the company’s management decided to issue an arbitrary decision against 15 workers accusing them of stopping work in order to incite a strike. The Labor Office also intervened. A report was prepared with the parties’ statements, and the company’s management promised its commitment to respond to the employees’ demands on Sunday, September 24, 2023.

 

• On September 25, over 1,400 workers at the ‘Nile Linen Group,’ a company specializing in the manufacturing of ready-made clothing and furnishings, engaged in a work strike and an ongoing open sit-in at the company’s headquarters. This strike has been ongoing for six consecutive days as they aim to secure their financial rights.

 

Section Three: Civil Society and Human Rights:

 

First: The most important activities, publications, and initiatives of human rights institutions:

• The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR):

 

• On September 2, the Council held a panel discussion entitled “The Population Problem and Human Rights” at the Council’s headquarters in preparation for and in interaction with the International Conference on Population, Health and Development, under the auspices of the President of the Republic, from September 5 to 8, 2023.
• On September 8, Ambassador Moushira Khattab, President of the Council, participated in the opening of the international conference organized by the National Institution for Human Rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the slogan “The Impact of Human Activity on the Right to a Healthy and Suitable Environment: Practices, Challenges and Solutions.”
• On September 20, Ambassador Moushira Khattab, President of the Council, took part in the launch of the events of the Second Arab Conference of National Human Rights Institutions and representatives of Arab Interior Ministers. The conference aimed to explore opportunities for collaboration in safeguarding and advancing human rights between the Ministries of Interior and National Human Rights Institutions in the Arab region.

 

• Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression:

 

• On September 3, the Association released its quarterly report on the status of freedom of expression covering the period from April 1 to June 30. The report was titled “Dialogue in the Shadows of Repression … The Second Quarterly Report on the State of Freedom of Expression in Egypt

 

• On September 6, the Association published the previously removed speech given by the Executive Director of the Foundation, Mohamed Abdel Salam, during the National Dialogue sessions. The speech was titled “The Country Is Facing an Unprecedented Human Rights Crisis”.

 

• On September 13, the Association released a research paper titled “A Point of Order… Words Should Not Go to Court” on an analysis of the Public Prosecution’s decisions in the case of publisher and writer Hisham Qasim”.

 

• Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights:

 

• On August 27, the Initiative released a critical study examining the origins of the term “heavenly religions” and its constitutional and legal uses in Egypt.
• On September 13, the Initiative announced its decision to suspend its participation in the national dialogue sessions following the arrest and imprisonment of Dr. Muhammad Zahran, the founder of the Independent National Union of Teachers.
• On September 15, the Initiative announced that Egyptian security forces had arrested approximately 35 members of the campaign of potential presidential candidate Ahmed Al- Tantawi from 13 governorates
• On the same date, the Initiative published an infographic on death sentences issued by criminal courts during the month of August 2023.
• On September 21, the initiative released an analytical study titled “Towards a fair wage for all in Egypt…options for universalizing the minimum wage,” which provides an analysis of wage policies in Egypt, particularly in the context of austerity measures, debt policies, and the decrease in public spending on services and social protection.

 

• Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms:

 

• On August 30, the Commission launched the “Stop Enforced Disappearances” campaign, stressing the need to clarify the fate of all forcibly disappeared persons and immediately stop committing crimes of enforced disappearance.
• On September 9, the Commission issued a statement condemning the exploitation of the emotions of families and their loved ones regarding release decisions. The statement called for the prompt implementation of the release decisions issued on August 19 by the prison administration.
• On September 12, the Commission released a statement titled “Hunger Strikes: A Prisoners’ Tool Against Violations and Lengthy Detention, Demanding Their Release.”
• On September 17, the “No Statute of Limitations” campaign initiated the series “Last Gateways to Justice,” focusing on the operations of the Forensic Medicine Authority.

 

• Technology and Law Community – Masaar:

 

• On August 28, 2023, the Group published a legal paper entitled “Strengthening Penalties for Cybercrimes in the Name of National Security and Preservation of National Unity”.
• On September 4, the Group published a legal paper entitled “Quantum Computers: Ethical Dilemmas and Human Rights Challenges”. The paper addresses the intersection between quantum computing, ethical considerations, and human rights challenges.
• On September 17, the Group released a memorandum challenging the constitutionality of Article 76 of Telecommunications Regulatory Law No. 10 of 2003, which pertains to the offense of intentionally causing disturbance to others. This challenge was presented in the trial of publisher and writer Hisham Qasim before the Economic Court.
• On September 25, the Group released a legal paper titled “The Obligations of the Data Protection Officer under the Personal Data Protection Law.” The paper provides a definition of the role of the Data Protection Officer and outlines the obligations imposed on them by the Personal Data Protection Law.

 

• Collective human rights activities:

 

• On August 30, several organizations released a joint statement in response to the Egyptian Ministry of Justice’s announcement regarding the dismissal of criminal cases against 75 organizations investigated in the civil society case, often referred to as Foreign Funding Case No. 173 of 2011. They emphasized that this statement does not signal any recent developments in the case since 2021.
• On September 1, several organizations jointly issued a statement calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Egyptian journalist and dissident Hisham Qassem. They emphasized that his detention was a result of exercising his fundamental right to freedom of expression.
• On September 3, various organizations came together to issue a collective statement strongly condemning the ongoing encroachments on the historic cemetery area in Cairo, a site listed on the World Heritage List. They urged authorities to take immediate action to halt the demolition of these cemeteries.
• On September 6, several organizations released a joint statement expressing their condemnation of the 4-year prison sentence handed to activist Mohamed Adel on charges of disseminating false news and information. These organizations called for his immediate release.
• On September 10, several organizations released a joint statement calling for the release of lawyer Ibrahim Metwally, who has been detained in connection with his human rights activism since 2017.

 

Second: Violations and harassment:

• Arrest and detention:

 

• • On September 13, security forces in Sharqia arrested activist and pharmacist Haitham Khalifa and subsequently presented him before the Supreme State Security Prosecution in Cairo. He was charged with alleged involvement in a terrorist group and the dissemination of false news and statements.

• Detention Renewal:

 

• • Cairo courts renewed the imprisonment of the human rights activists: Ahmed Al-Helou, Al-Sayyid Khalaf and activists Nermin Hussein, and Moaz Al-Sharqawi.

• Trials:

 

• On September 2, Aja Misdemeanor Court issued a 4-year prison sentence for political activist and member of the April 6 Movement, Mohamed Adel, based on charges of disseminating false news and statements. On September 30, the Court of Appeal upheld this verdict.

 

Third: Victories:

 

• On September 17, the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms achieved a significant victory by securing a ruling from the Shebin El-Kom Administrative Court that overturned the previous decision to withhold “muscular dystrophy” medication from the family of a child afflicted by this condition.
• On September 21, PEN Canada revealed that Egyptian writer and activist Alaa Abdel Fattah had been honored with the “One Humanity” award, recognizing international writers whose literary contributions transcend national boundaries and promote connections between diverse cultures.

 

Fourth: Release:

 

• On September 20, the Supreme State Security Prosecution released journalist Ahmed Jamal Ziadeh’s father, with the condition that he remains at his residence during the ongoing investigations into allegations of his involvement with a terrorist group and dissemination of false news and statements.