In a contentious verdict that has garnered international attention, an Egyptian court has sentenced political activist Hisham Kassem to six months in prison. The charges stem from an online dispute with a former minister and opposition figure, further highlighting Egypt’s human rights issues.
Saturday’s ruling, subject to appeal before a higher court, has elicited condemnation from human rights organisations and renewed scrutiny of Egypt’s record on civil liberties.
Hisham Kassem, a prominent figure associated with the Free Current, a coalition of primarily liberal political parties, was found guilty of slander, defamation, and verbally assaulting a police officer, as stated by Hossam Bahgat, the head of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which represented Kassem in court. Additionally, the court imposed a fine of 20,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $647) on Kassem.
Kassem, known for his involvement in various independent news outlets that provided a platform for free press in Egypt for decades, was arrested in August after accusations were made against him by Kamal Abu Eita, a former labor minister.
Initially, prosecutors had ordered Kassem’s release on the condition that he pay a bail of 5,000 Egyptian pounds ($161). However, Kassem refused to comply and was subsequently taken to a police station in Cairo, where he was alleged to have verbally assaulted police officers. Kassem and his legal team vehemently denied these allegations.
London-based Amnesty International called for Kassem’s immediate release, asserting that he had been “arbitrarily detained.” Philip Luther, Amnesty’s research and advocacy director in the region, stated, “The prosecution of Hisham Kassem for simply posting critical messages online is a signal that the Egyptian authorities’ relentless campaign to silence peaceful critics and punish dissent… is continuing in full force.”
Egypt has faced heightened scrutiny over its human rights record in the lead-up to the presidential election scheduled for February. The government had been striving to improve its image, but the arrests of Kassem and other activists have dealt a setback to its 18-month-long effort.
In recent months, Egypt has allowed some criticism of its policies amid a challenging economic crisis and mounting calls for political reform ahead of the 2024 presidential elections. The government initiated a dialogue forum with opposition parties and rights activists to enhance its human rights standing and receive recommendations on addressing its numerous challenges.
Despite persistent human rights concerns, the United States recently approved most military assistance to Egypt, citing Cairo’s assistance in various regional issues. However, this move was criticised by New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), which accused U.S. officials of disregarding Egypt’s ongoing repressive policies. Nicole Widdersheim, HRW’s deputy Washington director, emphasised that there should not be a false choice between national security and human rights.
