09 - 02 - 2005

The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) is extremely concerned about the Supreme Press Council’s decision to ban the al Ghad newspaper which was supposed to be published today. EOHR calls for the quashing of this decision which represents a flagrant violation of press freedom and freedom of opinion and expression, rights guaranteed by the Egyptian Constitution and international human rights instruments.
Last Monday (7th February) the Supreme Press Council [1] issued a decision preventing al Ghad from being sent to the printers. The decision to stop publication of the newspaper until further notice was issued yesterday. The reason given for the banning was the objection of Ragab Helal Hamida, a member of the Ghad Party, to Ibrahim Eissa’s assuming the position of chief editor. However, Eissa subsequently withdraw his objections in a letter sent to the head of the Supreme Press Council.
It is of significance that al Ghad newspaper is issued by the Ghad political party, whose leader Ayman Nour was arrested in front of the People’s Assembly on the 29th January 2005 after his parliamentary immunity had been lifted following accusations that he had forged the signatures of party supporters. The public prosecution office decided to detain him in custody for four days during the course of investigations. His detention was renewed for a further forty five days on the 31st January 2005.
EOHR strongly objects to this undeclared decision to ban the publication of the newspaper, demands that the Egyptian authorities revoke it and stop all forms of censorship of freedom of opinion and expression, rights guaranteed by the Egyptian Constitution and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR was incorporated into Egyptian domestic legislation upon ratification by virtue of article 151 of the Constitution.

[1] The Supreme Press Council is a division of the Shura Council and has is responsible for issuing newspaper publishing licences.

The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights
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Tel: (02) 363 6811 / (02) 362 0467 - Fax: (02) 362 1613
E-Mail: eohr@link.net - eohr@idsc.gov.eg - www.eohr.org