Amnesty International has called on Egypt to immediately release human rights activists detained for posting content on social media critical of the government. The rights organization condemned the Egyptian authorities for prosecuting activists on charges including terrorism, spreading false information, and inciting protests, all in retaliation for their online activities.
The detainees were apprehended by Egyptian security forces starting in December 2024 for engaging with social media pages, notably “Revolution of the Joints” on Facebook and a Telegram channel of the same name. According to Amnesty, these social media users were advocating for reforms, condemning corruption, and demanding an end to human rights violations under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Amnesty’s Mahmoud Shalaby, Egypt Researcher, emphasized that many activists were protesting against Egypt’s ongoing economic crisis and the government’s failure to address public grievances. Shalaby pointed out that these individuals should be allowed to express dissent without the fear of arbitrary detention and torture.
Among those detained are seven activists, who were held incommunicado until February 8, when they were formally charged. The charges include joining a terrorist group, spreading false news, and committing terrorism-related offenses. Amnesty also reported that these activists were subjected to torture during detention, including electrocution and verbal abuse.
The Egyptian Human Rights Forum has highlighted the ongoing detention of political opponents under harsh conditions, often with renewals of pre-trial detention beyond legal limits. Despite concerns voiced internationally, including before the UN Universal Period Review, Egyptian authorities continue to target dissidents, framing them as threats to national security.
Prominent rights defenders, like Hossam Bahgat, have also been accused of terrorism-related offenses, further deepening fears of escalating repression. In response, Egyptian human rights groups continue to push for accountability. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies recently presented recommendations to the government, urging an end to systemic torture, enforced disappearances, and demanding international oversight of detention facilities.
International attention continues to mount, as global organizations call for an end to Egypt’s crackdown on dissent and the release of detained activists.
