Egypt must release journalists and protect freedom of expression
Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy and his Al Jazeera English colleagues Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed are on trial in Egypt.
Mohamed Fahmy, the Egyptian-Canadian journalist being detained in Cairo, is shown in a handout photo.
Their crime? Reporting the news and challenging the “official version” presented by the authorities. Amnesty International believes they are prisoners of conscience detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.
The three men were detained on December 29, 2013 and later charged with falsifying news and belonging to or assisting a banned terrorist organization. They face up to life imprisonment if convicted. Their trial is grossly unfair. Amnesty International fears that the charges may be an attempt to punish the journalists for Al Jazeera’s editorial line. The channel has been accused of being biased towards the now banned Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Join Amnesty’s call for the immediate and unconditional release of Mohamed Fahmy and his Al Jazeera colleagues.»
Send a message to Minister of Justice Nayer Abdel-Moneim Othman calling on the Egyptian authorities to release Mohamed Fahmy and his Al Jazeera colleagues immediately and unconditionally.
Your Excellency:
Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed are currently on trial simply for reporting the news. Amnesty International believes they are prisoners of conscience.
The Egyptian government should respect freedom of expression and allow journalists to carry out independent reporting into all issues, including criticizing the government, without the threat of intimidation or arrest.
I call on you to:
- immediately and unconditionally release Mohamed Fahmy , Peter Greste, and Baher Mohamed.
- drop all charges against the journalists and others held in prison solely for peaceful expression and protest.
