Egypt human rights back on the radar of the foreign press
Egypt’s human rights were back in the foreign headlines on Thursday, with Human Rights Watch alleging that Sudanese opposition activist Mohamed Boshi had been abducted in Cairo and taken to Sudan. Sudanese authorities have reportedly admitted that they have Boshi, the Associated Press reports. Meanwhile, Amnesty International welcomed President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s statement on the need for a more “balanced NGO law,” calling on him to repeal the law altogether. Yesterday, Prime Minister Madbouly announced that a committee led by the Social Solidarity Ministry will be tasked with amending the NGO law. However, El Sisi was criticized elsewhere over a recounted story by The Conversation of activist Amal Fathy who was arrested for her controversial Facebook video earlier this year.
Other headlines worth noting in brief:
- The construction of the new capital has many Egyptians wondering if the government will ever develop Cairo, but some experts believe the current capital will be “left to die a slow death,” the AP’S Hamza Hendawi says.
- Tariq Ramadan, grandson of Ikhwan founder Hassan Al Banna, was released on bail from a French prison after being held in custody since February on [redacted] assault accusations, France’s AFP reports.
- An Egyptian court handed down a death sentence yesterday to an alleged Daesh supporter for stabbing a Christian doctor to death in September 2017, according to the Associated Press.
- Egyptian band Takh is gaining popularity for its sarcastic lyrics that touch on everyday issues, according to The Arab Weekly.