Feb 22, 2007 19:40
News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International
22 February 2007
Amnesty International condemns the four-year sentence handed down by an
Egyptian court today against blogger Karim Amer, and calls for his
immediate and unconditional release.
"This sentence is yet another slap in the face of freedom of expression
in Egypt," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Middle East and North Africa
Deputy Programme Director. "The Egyptian authorities must protect the
peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, even if the views expressed
might be perceived by some as offensive. Amnesty International considers
Karim Amer to be a prisoner of conscience who is being prosecuted on
account of the peaceful expression of his views."
"The Egyptian authorities must repeal legislation that, in violation of
international standards, stipulates prison sentences for acts which
constitute nothing more than the peaceful exercise of the rights of
freedom of expression, thought, conscience and religion."
Karim Amer is the first Egyptian blogger to be tried for writing blogs
criticizing Egypt's al-Azhar religious authorities, President Husni
Mubarak and Islam. Charges against him included "spreading information
disruptive of public order and damaging to the country?s reputation",
"incitement to hate Islam" and "defaming the President of the Republic".
AI Index: MDE 12/006/2007
Further information :
Egyptian blogger faces 10-year prison sentence
human rights violation,
freedom of expression,
egipt