In a major judicial and political scandal, 81 Egyptian political and media figures, including civilian and liberal activists, were added to the terrorist lists during the days of Eid al-Fitr based on an unjust judicial ruling.

The Arab Council, while expressing its full solidarity with all the individuals targeted by this unjust decision, especially Dr. Ayman Nour, President of the Egyptian National Forces Union and Vice President of the Arab Council, along with his colleagues in the Union, the Tomorrow Party, Al-Sharq TV, and other opposition media platforms, declares the following:

  • The Council considers this unjust decision as clear evidence of the Egyptian regime’s confusion, its lack of credibility in calling for dialogue, and its intense discomfort with the growing political and media movement that defends freedom, democracy, and change in the country.
  • The Council affirms that this reprehensible decision is nothing but a failed attempt to cover up the deteriorating economic situation, the frighteningly high inflation rates, the continuous depreciation of the pound, and the regime’s political and diplomatic failures, as well as its deteriorating relations with its allies.
  • The Council understands that the main aim of this foolish decision is to preemptively block the targeted individuals from running in the upcoming presidential elections. This reinforces the regime’s intention to rig the elections and its refusal to meet the necessary conditions for a fair and credible electoral process, which opposition leaders have been working towards by attempting to agree on a unified candidate, provided that the required guarantees are offered.
  • The Council expresses its solidarity with all the media figures listed in the terrorist list against the regime’s policy of systematically targeting free and opposing media. It condemns the regime’s efforts to freeze their assets and restrict their right to travel in order to instill fear in them and their families.
  • The Council confirms its intention to submit general complaints and individual grievances in the coming days to the United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the special rapporteurs on human rights, peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression, as well as other relevant bodies regarding this dangerous targeting of male and female opposition figures and media workers. It also condemns the misuse and unlawful application of anti-terrorism laws to eliminate opponents and the disastrous impact this has on human rights in Egypt.

Signed,
The Arab Council
President Moncef Marzouki

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