Egypt

82 million people
2,600 USD GNI (PPP)
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Partly Free
Partly Free

News & Updates

President Mohamed Morsi’s seizure of executive and legislative power in Egypt was reinforced today when the constituent assembly rushed through the approval of a draft constitution that lacks fundamental democratic principles. Freedom House condemns the actions of President Morsi and the constituent assembly and calls for a return to a more democratic and inclusive process.

Freedom House condemns the death sentences handed down by an Egyptian Court on November 28 against seven Egyptian-American Coptic Christians for their alleged involvement in making a film that is critical of Islam.  While support for all religions should be respected, blasphemy laws are in direct violation of citizens’ right to freedom of expression and have a chilling effect on open dialogue that can promote religious tolerance.

Freedom House denounces Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's decision to claim sweeping new powers for himself through a constitutional declaration that expands his presidential power significantly beyond that of his predecessors, including those of Hosni Mubarak.

Freedom House condemns the excessive use of force by the Egyptian military against unarmed protesters in the cities of Giza and Cairo, and calls for the Egyptian government, led by President Mohamed Morsi, to hold those who are responsible for the violence accountable under the law.

Signature Reports

Special Reports

Policing Belief: The Impact of Blasphemy Laws on Human Rights

Policing Belief: The Impact of Blasphemy Laws on Human Rights examines the human rights implications of domestic blasphemy and religious insult laws using the case studies of seven countries—Algeria, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Poland—where such laws exist both on paper and in practice. Without exception, blasphemy laws violate the fundamentalfreedom of expression, as they are by definition intended to protect religious institutions and religious doctrine– i.e., abstract ideas and concepts – from insult or offence. At their most benign, such laws lead to self-censorship.  In Greece and Poland, two of the more democratic countries examined in the study, charges brought against high-profile artists, curators and writers serve as a warning to others that certain topics are off limits. At their worst, in countries such as Pakistan and Malaysia, such laws lead to overt governmental censorship and individuals are both prosecuted and subject to severe criminal penalties including lengthy jail sentences.

Programs

In Egypt and Tunisia, we work with activists and citizen journalists to observe the elections. Bloggers and local activists receive training on election monitoring, violation reporting techniques, new media and mobile technology usage helping to increase transparency and citizens’ engagement in the political process.