Egypt extends its assault on freedom of expression by blocking dozens of websites – UN experts warn

GENEVA (30 August 2017) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, David Kaye, and the Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, Fionnuala Ní Aloáin,  today raised grave concerns with the Government of Egypt over its ongoing assault on freedom of expression.

The human rights experts expressed particular alarm over reports of the expanding list of websites shut down or otherwise blocked by authorities for ‘spreading lies’ and ‘supporting terrorism’, according to the State-run news agency MENA.

“The situation for journalism and the freedom of expression and access to information in Egypt has been in crisis for several years,” the experts noted. “It takes many forms, including the unlawful detention and harassment of journalists and activists.

“Denying access to websites of all sorts, but especially news sites, deprives all Egyptians of basic information in the public interest,” they said warning that around 130 websites may have been blocked so far.

The Egyptian authorities have reportedly blocked access to the websites of at least 21 news agencies, including well-known sources of information as MadaMasr, RASSD, Al Watan, and Huffpost Arabi, as well as the websites of human rights organizations such as Reporters without Borders, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, and the Alkarama Foundation.

However, the Special Rapporteurs added that the lack of public record and transparency about the blockings, and the lack of prior or subsequent notification, make it difficult to verify the total number.

“Limiting information as the Egyptian Government has done, without any transparency or identification of the asserted ‘lies’ or ‘terrorism’, looks more like repression than counter-terrorism,” they said.

The experts also noted that the authorities have not provided any evidence to prove that blocking websites would meet the tests of international human rights law. They recalled that, under international law, any such measures must be provided by law and be necessary and proportionate to meet a legitimate objective.

“In the case of the widespread blockings in Egypt,” the experts pointed out, “the blockings appear based on overbroad counter-terrorism legislation, and they lack any form of transparency and have extremely limited, if any, judicial control.”

The Special Rapporteurs and other UN human rights experts have previously urged the Government to release journalists, and to lift all restrictions on their freedom of movement.

“We want to take this opportunity, to also remind the authorities of our grave concern for the rights of all those detained based on their writing or their work in public space,” they concluded.

ENDS

Mr. David Kaye (USA) was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in August 2014 by the UN Human Rights Council.

Ms. Ms. Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin (Ireland) was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism in August 2017 by the Human Rights Council.

As Special Rapporteurs, they are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

UN Human Rights, Country Page: Egypt

For more information and media requests please contact Ms. Azin Tadjdini (+41 22 917 9400 / atadjdini@ohchr.org) or write to freedex@ohchr.org.

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)  

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