Amnesty International reported that the Egyptian authorities have carried out arbitrary arrests against people calling for anti-government protests due to rising public discontent at soaring prices and ongoing power cuts.
What sparked the arrests?
- Security forces detained 119 individuals in connection to online calls for a “Dignity Revolution” on 12 July.
- The calls were made to protest price hikes and year-long power cuts.
- Arrests were made in six governorates, including women and a child.
What did Amnesty International say?
Amnesty International’s Egypt Researcher, Mahmoud Shalaby, condemned the arrests and stated that the government must respect people’s rights to express discontent without fear of imprisonment.
Why are people discontent?
- Rising food and fuel prices.
- Shortage of medicines.
- Cost-saving measures, including electricity cuts for two hours daily, leading to deaths in elevators.
Amnesty International highlighted previous cases of repression against government critics in Egypt and demanded the immediate release of those detained for expressing their views.
Source: www.amnesty.org