EU calls for Egypt to respect press freedom

9 Jun 2016

In a statement by the European Union, the indictment of the Egyptian Press Syndicate's head, secretary-general and undersecretary, has been condemned as a "worrying development" that follows the "unprecedented raid" of the Egyptian security forces on the Press Syndicate's building earlier this month.

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The statement continues: “It reflects broader limitations on freedom of expression and press freedom in Egypt. In recent weeks and months many journalists, activists, protesters and human rights defenders have been arrested, or have suffered intimidation through travel bans, court summons and the threat of asset freezes.

“Egypt should act in accordance with its national and international commitments to promote and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms as guaranteed by its Constitution.

“We call on the Egyptian authorities to review the charges against those arrested or prosecuted for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, and work to bring the Laws regulating Assembly and the Counter-terrorism Law into line with the Egyptian Constitution.

Source: African Press Organisation

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