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Detention of Ikhwanweb Chief Editor Criticised by HRInfo

The Arab Network for Human Rights (ANHR) criticised on Sunday detention of Ikhwanweb Chief Editor Khaled Hamza, whose arbitrary arrest two weeks ago was widely condemned by intellectuals and rights groups worldwide.

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The Arab Network for Human Rights Information (HRInfo) criticised on Sunday detention of Ikhwanweb Chief Editor Khaled Hamza, whose arbitrary arrest two weeks ago was widely condemned by intellectuals and rights groups worldwide.

 HRInfo blamed the Emergency Law and government"s "systematic repression" for Hamza"s detention, and urged human rights organisations to campaign against the soaring number of prisoners of conscience in Egypt.

"The severe deterioration in general freedoms and the worsening economic conditions in Egypt sould not divert our attention from prisoners of conscience. It"s a shame to keep silent while Egypt"s prisons are charged with prisoners whose only crime is calling for democracy," HRInfo stated in a press release Sunday.

The Arab Network also called for the release of Ayman Nour, secular blogger Kareem Amer,  novelist and political activist Musaad Abu Fagr, and Ali Abdelfattah-director of Egyptian Media Center and member of the Committe for the Support of Palestinian People. Because of the emergency law, Amer and Abu Fagr were kept in prison despite several court acquittals.

Although the government vowed to use the Emergency Law against drug dealers and terrorism suspects, it provided pretext for trying civilians in military courts and resorting to arbitrary arrests to silence free voices, the Arab Network said.

Further, the Arab Network warned against the continuation of this repressive policy which only heralds a dark age for democracy and human rights in Egypt.