The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and 14 other press freedom and human rights organizations sent a joint statement letter On Monday, he addressed the EU and expressed concern about Egypt’s lack of progress in the areas of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
As part of the elevation of EU-Egypt relations to one Strategic and comprehensive partnership In March 2024, the EU pledged financial support of 5 billion euros. According to CPJ, one of the main conditions for the funding was that Egypt make progress on key human rights issues. This period of relations between the EU and Egypt was described quite positive, but the human rights groups stress: “If the EU and member states do not put pressure on Egypt to improve its human rights situation, this ‘golden age’ risks becoming an age of increasing repression and instability.”
The CPJ letter highlights the ongoing “systematic and widespread” use of “disappearances” and torture and arbitrary detentions in “catastrophic conditions,” including the imprisonment of 18 journalists in 2025. These tactics have also affected human rights defenders, academics, minorities and peaceful opposition leaders.
For example, Egyptian political commentator Ahmed Douma sentenced Earlier this month he was sentenced to a year in prison for his publications about poor prison conditions. CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah said at the time that “no journalist should face prison for sharing first-hand experiences or expressing critical opinions.” Additionally, on May 25, several activists and members of the Committee for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience were arrested following a “peaceful rally” that was condemned by Amnesty International.
The rights groups also warn of a lack of information Mass graves found in Sinai, which may provide documented evidence of extrajudicial killings. The signatories see a pattern in this non-compliance with legal investigation obligations:
The Egyptian authorities continue to disregard the rule of law, as evidenced by widespread denial of due process and unfair trials, as well as in practice Housing rotation And double dangerall in violation of Egypt’s constitutional legal guarantees and international human rights obligations.
CPJ and its co-signatories call on the EU to put pressure on Egypt to implement concrete reforms National Human Rights Strategy and other efforts of a largely symbolic nature. This position was previously expressed by Amnesty International in a detailed statement report serious human rights violations “covered up” by the strategy, including unlawful killings, arbitrary mass detentions and discrimination against women and girls and other minorities. Human Rights Watch also recently found extensive evidence of “widespread and abusive detention.”
This letter was published in advance EU-Egypt Association Council Meeting that will take place on June 15th. This meeting will include a review of the partnership, and the CPJ and its partners call on the EU to use the meeting as “an opportunity to hold Egypt to account.”
There is a long-standing relationship between the EU and Egypt. Her Association Agreement came into force in June 2004 and provided a framework for development, partnership and financing.
These problems in Egypt are part of one broader trend of “ongoing threats” to journalists and media freedom across the Middle East and North Africa.
