Several UN human rights experts issued a letter addressed to the Egyptian government on July 30, 2024. The letter was signed by the Special Rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
In the letter, the experts condemned the arbitrary detention and torture of five Egyptian citizens for criticizing economic conditions and policies on social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, between December 2023 and February 2024.
The letter highlighted that the charges against these individuals appear to be linked to their online posts criticizing inflation and economic conditions. They were charged with terrorism-related offenses, such as joining or funding a terrorist group and spreading false information. In some cases, they were also charged with forming online groups aimed at disrupting public security.
In addition to arbitrary detention, the letter raised serious concerns regarding the alleged use of torture, including beatings and electric shocks, during the detention of these individuals. The complaint noted that the families of the detainees were not informed of their whereabouts during the initial period of their detention, suggesting that these incidents may amount to enforced disappearances. Moreover, the arrests were conducted without following proper legal procedures, including the absence of arrest warrants, and the detainees were interrogated without legal representation.
The letter included inquiries from UN experts seeking further details from the Egyptian government on several matters, to which the government had not responded at the time of publication. These inquiries include requests for clarification on the legal basis for the arrest and prosecution of these citizens, as well as the use of counter-terrorism measures, and how these actions align with international human rights standards, particularly with respect to arbitrary detention, fair trial guarantees, and the prevention of torture.
The experts recommended that the Egyptian authorities impartially review the cases and release the individuals if the charges are found to be baseless. They also urged the authorities to investigate allegations of torture and enforced disappearances and ensure accountability for any human rights violations. Additionally, the experts called on Egypt to review its counter-terrorism legislation and practices, particularly those that impact freedom of opinion and expression.