GENEVA - Independent human rights experts* today expressed concern over restrictions faced by human rights defenders in Egypt following their release from detention.
"We recently raised concerns about the continued detention of human rights defenders on renewed and similar charges," the experts said. "Even those who have been released continue to face restrictions that severely limit their ability to return to normal life."
Many human rights defenders charged under Egypt's counterterrorism law have faced a travel ban, had their assets frozen, or ended up back on the country's terrorism watchlist after being released.
"Such restrictions have severe consequences for the affected individuals and their families and their ability to enjoy economic and social rights," the experts said.
Gasser Abdel Razek, Karim Ennarah and Mohamed Bashir, three members of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), were arrested in November 2020. They were released following an international outcry, but were immediately placed under an asset freeze and a travel ban.
"This is deeply concerning, particularly given that Egyptian law guarantees the right to appeal asset freeze decisions, which the three individuals have done, but to no avail," the experts said.
Human rights lawyer Mohamed El-Baqer was detained in connection with several cases involving similar charges. During his incarceration in late 2020, his name was added to Egypt's terrorism watchlist for a period of five years, leading to a travel ban, withdrawal of his passport, and freezing of his bank account and other assets.
El-Baqer received a presidential pardon in 2023, but he has remained on the terrorism watchlist.
"What makes it all the more shocking is that, just one day before the end of the five-year period, El-Baqer was added to the terrorist list for another five years, despite no evidence being provided," the experts said.
Human rights defender Samir Abdel Hai was arrested in early 2021 after returning from university in Vienna where his studies focused on Egypt's anti-abortion laws. He was sentenced to three years in prison but was freed by a presidential pardon in summer 2022.
Since then, Abdel-Hai has been banned from travelling, with the official reason given being that he was a "threat to national security."
The experts asked how Abdel-Hai could still be regarded as a threat to the country after he received a presidential pardon.
"These human rights defenders were criminalised under vague counterterrorism laws. They have either served their sentences or been granted presidential pardons. They should not continue to face restrictions," they said.
The experts urged authorities in Egypt to put an end to these restrictions in line with international human rights standards.
The experts are in contact with the Government on these issues.
