LONDON: Pacific groups joined civil society organisations from around the world to call on Egyptian and international bodies to respect freedom of expression and the right to information. A statement by the London-based free expression organisation Article 19 said:
We, the undersigned civil society organisations working to promote freedom of expression around the world, condemn the serious violations of human rights taking place at this critical moment in Egypt. Since pro-democracy activists first began popular protest across Egypt on 25 January, there have been at least three hundred deaths, incidents of physical attacks and brutality, often involving live fire, and arbitrary arrests and detentions of protestors and journalists. The government has also restricted access to the internet, withdrawn mobile phone services and placed restrictions on independent media.
These measures have had the effect of silencing and suppressing the speech of legitimate protestors and presented significant obstacles to many others, both inside and outside the country, who wish to access or share information about the demonstrations and the human rights abuses that have occurred during this period. Egypt's total censorship of the internet and mobile communications also stands to encourage other governments in the region and beyond to take similar action.
In our opinion, the Egyptian authorities are in violation of the state's international human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with respect to the right to freedom of expression and the right to information as well as the right to freedom of assembly and association, the right to liberty, the right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
As massive rallies take place across Egypt, we call upon the Egyptian state authorities, including the national government, police, security and armed forces to:
• Remove any remaining limitations on access to the internet and mobile communications and refrain from imposing any such restrictions
• Remove all restrictions on independent media and release all journalists and lawful protestors who have been detained
• Respect Egypt's international legal obligations in policing the protests and only use force that is reasonable, proportionate and
genuinely aimed at preventing crimes
• Ensure that there are independent and effective investigations into allegations of killings, attacks or threats by state agents
• Immediately repeal state emergency laws.
We further call upon influential states, intergovernmental and regional organisations, including the United Nations, African Union and the European Union to:
• Condemn all violations of human rights by Egyptian state authorities during this period of popular unrest in Egypt
• Exert pressure on Egypt to remove any remaining limitations on access to the internet and mobile communications and refrain from imposing any such restrictions
• Exert pressure on the Egyptian state authorities to respect human rights, in particular the right to freedom of expression and the right to information
• Support a smooth transition in Egypt to a system that embraces democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
We will continue to closely monitor the events in Egypt as they unfold. - Article 19/Pacific Media Watch
Full list of signatories
For more information please contact ARTICLE 19 at communications@article19.org or +44 20 7324 2500
Egypt's campaign against foreign media - One reporter's story - Rania Abouzeid in Cairo for Time
In Egypt, the 'lamestream media' shows its courage and value - Washington Post
Pacific Media Watch
