Ikshef Report on Egypt’s Violations against Media Freedom on July 2016

69 violations, 140 layoffs, 4 prison sentences

Gag orders and restrictive legislations continue

92 journalists still jailed, with 2 enforced disappearances

London – 8 August 2016

(Ikshef) – Despite July 2016 has witnessed 69 violations against media freedom in Egypt, which is the least number of violations compared to record numbers in previous months of the year, the month has witnessed a record of terminations in five media organizations. It was possible tracking 140 layoffs of journalists during the month, beside many other cases that we have not been able to track.

July also witnessed arrests and enforced disappearances and the issuance of different prison sentences against four journalists, and the revengeful imprisonment of a brother of media person. These bring the number of jailed journalists currently to 92.

There were more violations than the above-mentioned ones. There were ones inside prisons, where ill-treatment has escalated on all levels, which were repeated with the families of jailed journalists during their visits to prisons. The most notable of those violations what happened to photojournalist Khaled Shalob which started a hunger strike since last February. He is suffering from stomach ulcer and severe inflammation of the esophagus, leading to constant vomiting and low blood pressure, with a large loss in weight and symptoms of diabetes, while prison administration deals arbitrarily concerning his treatment. Also, there are other cases, such as Mahmoud Al-Sakka, who suffers from continuous bleeding from the mouth and back pains and continuous dizziness due the conditions of the cell he is detained in. This is beside other cases such as Abdullah Shousha, Abdul-Rahman Yaqout, Mohammed Al-Adli and Mahmoud Shawkan.

This is in addition to other violations including trials and complaints, the most notable of which were the trial of Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate head, Yahya Qallash, and two of his council colleagues, and the imprisonment sentence for three years against Magdi Ahmed Hussein, editor of Al-Shaab newspaper, and journalist Morsi Al-Adham of the same newspaper. This is in addition to an appeal ruling of prison sentence for five years in prison instead of eight against Hussein in a publication case too. Also, there was the prison sentence against TV host Islam Al-Beheiri in his retrial on charges of contempt of religions.

On the level of physical assaults, there are blatant cases as has happened with journalist Karim Sobhi of Youm7 who was dragged by security forces In Imbaba police station in Giza; and detention of Mohammed Sharaf, in the events of Petro Sport stadium, as well as attacks by some lawyers in the Bar Association on a number of journalists during the recent general assembly of lawyers, and an assault by an MP against a journalist of Al-Masryoon newspaper.

In terms of prevention, there were preventions of coverage and writing. As for prevention of coverage, they were committed mainly by security agencies, especially during court hearings, or during coverage of events and conferences specially Bar Association’s. Concerning prevention of writing,  Al-Ahram newspaper banned two articles, in addition to Shorouk newspaper banning an article by prominent columnist Fahmi Howeidi in which he criticized the secretary-general of the Arab League, Ahmed Abul Gheit.

Layoffs and not paying salaries have set a record this month in five media organizations. This is in addition to arresting blogger Wael Abbas twice; gag order by the Attorney General in a bribery case involving a judge; and a restrictive legislation on the unified media law

July violations were as follow:

Imprisonment, detentions and enforced disappearances

July has witnessed two arrests and enforced disappearances of journalists Ahmed Mansi and Mahmoud Abdel-Latif who are trainees in Shabab News website. It also witnessed prison sentences against four journalists in person or in absentia; this includes the imprisonment sentence for three years against Magdi Ahmed Hussein, editor of Al-Shaab newspaper, and journalist Morsi Al-Adham of the same newspaper, the prison sentence against  journalist Ahmed Amer of Al-Ahram online portal, and the prison sentence for a year in the retrial against TV host Islam Al-Beheiri, and the arrest of the brother of TV host Motaz Matar of Al-Sharq TV channel as a punishment for him for his stances against the current regime and as an attempt to pressure him.

By adding the new enforcedly disappeared journalists, the current number of jailed journalists becomes 92 journalists in several prisons in Egypt.

Abuses in prisons

Arab Media Freedom Monitor (Ikshef) has received a message from inside Tora prison that warns of a real risk to the lives of prisoners, and that there is a deliberate intention by the prison administration to allow deaths inside the prison, in a deliberate absence of security. The prison had witnessed a quarrel of sharp tools between prisoners belonging to Islamic State group, and the rest of the prisoners, where serious injuries took place amid the indifference by the prison administration, which did not intervene until long time after the start of the melee. It is well known that a number of journalists are imprisoned there.

The letter indicates that family has suffered during the last week of July in the visit procedures, and prevention of anything but cooked meals only, with no food in the prison cafeteria. The families have also complained about serious restrictions during visits.

Prisons during the month of July have witnessed 9 individual violations, most notably what happened to journalist Khaled Sahlob in Al-Aqrab prison who is suffering serious health problems as a result of his hunger strike since February, beside medical negligence he faces. Also, father of photojournalist Mahmoud Shawkan complained from his son suffering from back pain as a result of bad conditions in his solitary confinement. This is as well as the suffering of journalist Mahmoud Al-Sakka of Yanair portal from continuous bleeding that stops with difficulty. Nevin Saad who is the wife journalist Mahmoud Mostafa complained of facing severe harassment during visiting him, and the prison administration denied entry of some of the needs that she brought for her husband.

Also, there is ill-treatment for the rest of detained journalists, not allowing books in for those who have exams, and ongoing suffering of the visiting relatives and not allowing medicines nor foods in.

Trials and complaints:

There were 23 trials and complaints during July, most notably the trial of head of EJS, Yahya Qallash, and his council colleagues Jamal Abdul-Rahim and Khaled Al-Balshi; as well as a lawsuit to sequestrate EJS; sentencing journalist Magdi Hussein, editor of Al-Shaab newspaper for five years in prison after his appeal to a previous ruling by eight years; renewing detention on remand of Amr Badr and Mahmoud Al-Sakka for 15 days more than once; as well as numerous lawsuits against several newspapers most notably Al-Watan and Sout Al-Omma newspapers, in addition to a lawsuit of sequestration.

During the same session, the court also decided to delay for sentencing another sequestration lawsuit filed by a journalist named Hussein Al-Mataani to 22 August session.

Physical Abuses:

There were 7 cases of physical abuses in total by security bodies or by individual people. Security forces committed several attacks, including what happened to photojournalist Said Hassan of Al-Shahed agency by security forces guarding Al-Azhar sheikhdom while covering a funeral of a well-known figure. Security forces dragged journalist Karim Subhi of Youm7 while covering latest incident of Imbaba police station and assaulted him. Security forces detained journalist Mohammed Sharaf in the events of Petro Sport Stadium.

This is in addition to attacks by lawyers in the headquarters of bar association against a number of journalists while covering the recent general assembly of lawyers. Also, MP Badri Abu Deif attacked EJS member journalist Hussein Othman of Al-Masryoon newspaper.

Prevention of coverage:

July has witnessed 16 cases of preventions of coverage that were mostly in courts and the most notable case was preventing journalists from covering the trial of head of EJS, Yahya Qallash, and two of his colleagues of EJS board. This was repeated more than once during this month.

Preventions of coverage or prevention of events themselves by security at the EJS headquarters came second after courts; where many events were prevented, including an event of burning of the Israeli flag and a conference for high school students as well as several other events that were prevented by government bodies or by people.

Writing bans:

Total cases writing bans were three cases where Al-Ahram newspaper banned two articles by journalist and writer Karem Yehia and by a French writer. Shorouk newspaper has banned an article by prominent writer Fahmi Howeidi in which he criticized the secretary-general of the Arab League, Ahmed Abul Gheit.

Layoffs

July has witnessed the highest number of layoffs and stopping of salaries this year in five media organizations, on top of which are two websites, dotmasr and Hasal, owned by pro-government businessman Ahmed Abu Hashima. This is as well as a court ruling to terminate a female journalist from Al-Ahram. It was possible tracking 140 cases of layoffs of journalists during the month, beside many other cases that we have not been able to track.

Gag orders

July has witnessed one official gag order by the Attorney General. It also has witnessed an unwritten gag order by the central bank.

Travel bans

July has witnessed two arrests in airport of journalist and blogger Wael Abbas.

The month has not witnessed any travel bans, as happened in the previous months.

Restrictive legislations

July has witnessed one case, where amendments were made to the uniform media law that leads to penalties that deprivation freedoms. This is in addition to what MP Mostafa Bakri and other MBs who last month proposed an amendment of law to allow the president to intervene in the formation of the Supreme Press Council, which is against the applicable laws.

List of Detained Journalists in Egypt till 31 July 2016 (92 Journalists)

1. Amr Badr (Editor of Yanair portal)
2. Mahmoud Al-Sakka (Journalit, Yanair portal)
3. Magdi Ahmed Hussein (Editor of Al-Shaab Al-Jadeed)
4. Hani Salah Al-Din (Managing editor of Youm7)
5. Hisham Jaafar (MADA)
6. Ismail Al-Iskandrani (Freelance journalist)
7. Yusuf Shaaban (Albedaiah.com)
8. Islam Al-Beheiri (Youm7)
9. Ahmed Naji (Akhbar Al-Adab)
10. Ahmed Sebaie (Head of Al-Aqsa TV office in Egypt)
11. Hassan Al-Qabbani (Al-Karama newspaper)
12. Mohammed Saber Al-Batawi (Al-Akhbar)
13. Ibrahim Al-Dadrawi (Al-Qawmiya for distribution)
14. Mohsen Radi (Al-Dawa)
15. Said Abu Haj (Sinai Media Center)
16. Amr Al-Khafif (Former director of broadcast engineering in ERTU)
17. Imad Abu Zaid (Al-Ahram)
18. Mohammed Abossoul (Akhbar Al-Youm)
19. Abdo Desuqi (Ikhwanweb)
20. Mohammed Ibrahim Shukri (Al-Omma TV channel)
21. Walid Shalabi (Ikhwan Online)
22. Yusuf Talat (Al-Sabab TV channel)
23. Mahmoud Mostafa Saad (Alnahar newspaper)
24. Ammar Abdul Majid (Al-Hadath website)
25. Sabri Anwar (Elbadil newspaper)
26. Ahmed Bayoumi (Dardasha newspaper)
27. Samhi Mostafa (Rassd network)
28. Mohamed Salah (Journalist, Al-Shaab Al-Jadeed)
29. Ibrahim Suleiman (5^th TV channel – National TV)
30. Omar Abdul-Maksoud (Masralarabia.com)
31. Mahmoud Abu Zeid, (aka Shawkan) (Demotix photo agency)
32. Bakri Abdul-Aal (Al-Raya newspaper)
33. Mohammed Al-Saeed Al-Dashti (Al-Mashhad newspaper)
34. Abdul-Rahman Shahin (Freedom and justice newspaper – Aljazeera TV channel)
35. Mohammed Madani (Misr 25 TV channel)
36. Musaad Al-Barbari (Director Ahrar 25 TV channel)
37. Khaled Hamdi (Misr 25 TV channel)
38. Hassan Khudari (Misr 25 TV channel)
39. Khaled Abdul-Aziz (Misr 25 TV channel)
40. Jamal Al-Alem (Misr 25 TV channel)
41. Mosaab Hamed (Misr 25 TV channel)
42. Osama Ezzuddin (Misr 25 TV channel)
43. Mohammad Al-Adli (Amjad TV channel)
44. Abdullah Al-Fakharani (Rassd network)
45. Moataz Mostafa Shahin (Freedom and Justice newspaper)
46. Mohamed Salah Sowaidan (Freelance photographer)
47. Mahmoud Abdul-Nabi Awad (Rassd network)
48. Ibrahim Abdul-Nabi Awad (Rassd network)
49. Khalid Abdul-Rauf Sahlob (Rassd network)
50. Khaled Hamza (Managing editor of IkhwanWeb)
51. Sayed Musa (Amjad TV channel)
52. Karim Mostafa Al-Sayed (Al-Shabab TV channel)
53. Mohammed Ezzat (Ikhwan Online)
54. Abdullah Shousha (Amjad TV channel)
55. Ahmed Lashin (Misr 25 TV channel)
56. Ahmed Fouad Mohamed Al-Sayed (Karmoz website)
57. Shadi Abdul-Hamid (Freelance correspondent)
58. Suhaib Saad Al-Haddad (Freelance correspondent, Aljazeera)
59. Khalid Mohammed Abdul-Rahman (Freelance correspondent, Aljazeera)
60. Wael Al-Heddini (Freelance correspondent)
61. Mohammed Mamoun Abu Shousha (Ahrar 25 TV channel)
62. Ibrahim Talha (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
63. Mahmoud Jamal Ali Othman (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
64. Mohyi Qasem Mohammed Abdul-Jawwad (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
65. Mohammed Mostafa Abdul-Nasser Abdul-Qadir (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
66. Ahmed Muharram Abdul-Salam (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
67. Abdul-Rahman Abdul-Salam Yaqout (Freelance reporter)
68. Sameh Mohammed Ahmed Bakri (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
69. Abdullah Jamal Moftah (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
70. Ammar Samir Abdul-Ghani Ahmad (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
71. Ahmed Khamis Mahmoud Kheder (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
72. Belal Abdullah Ahmad (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
73. Abdul-Rahman Hassan Abdul-Hafiz (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
74. Ahmed Khamis Anwar Abdul-Qawi (Stringer for satellite TV channels
75. Osama Hashem Mohammed Hashem (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
76. Mohamed Hossamuddin Abdul-Halim Al-Kafrawi (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
77. Omar Mohamed Mabrouk Al-Sawi (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
78. Ahmed Ali Ahmed Al-Najjar (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
79. Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Shehata (Stringer for satellite TV channels)
80. Islam Gomaa (Misr 25 TV channel)
81. Ahmed Hamouda Al-Sakhawi (Misr newspaper)
82. Ahmed Al-Mansi (Shabab News website)
83. Mahmoud Abdul-Latif (Shabab News website)
84. Ibrahim Samir (Freelance correspondent)
85. Islam Al-Banna (Freelance correspondent)
86. Islam Atef (Al-Omma website)
87. Ahmed Abu Khabeer (Al-Omma website)
88. Ahmed Maher Ali (Freelance correspondent)
89. Assem Abdul-Fattah (Al-Omma website)
90. Omar Khedr (Rassd network)
91. Omar Mabrouk (Freelance journalist)
92. Mahmoud Yahia (Al-Omma TV channel)