46 organisations and individuals rights organization are demanding the immediate release of Gamal Ziada, the father of journalist Ahmed Gamal Ziada.
In a joint statement, 25 prominent human rights organizations called on the Egyptian government to release Gamal Abdel Hamid Ziada, the father of the human rights activist and former prisoner of conscience, Ahmed Gamal Ziada. The organizations stated that this arrest serves as a stark reminder that the Egyptian authorities’ approach to human rights has not changed, and they continue to suppress dissenting voices relentlessly, despite claims of progress and reform. They also noted that retaliatory actions against the families of journalists and human rights defenders living abroad are being used to target those advocating for human rights.
On August 22nd, Egyptian security forces, dressed in civilian clothes, arrested Gamal Ziada from the front of his shop in the village of Nahia in Giza, and he was forcibly disappeared for 24 hours. He was later charged by the state security prosecution with belonging to a banned group, spreading false information, and misusing social media. The signing organizations emphasized that the highly concerning aspect of his disappearance is that he was interrogated about his son’s work as a journalist, revealing the true motive behind his arrest.
Furthermore, on August 30th, the Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed Gamal Ziada’s detention for an additional 15 days in case No. 2064 of 2023, State Security Supreme. This step has raised serious questions about the legal procedures and respect for human rights within the Egyptian legal system, according to the signing organizations.
The statement added that over the past two years, Egyptian authorities have attempted to whitewash their record of human rights violations and repression. They have taken steps to portray the government as open to dialogue and willing to engage in national reconciliation, including with political opposition. While some political prisoners have been released, including prominent figures like human rights lawyer Ziad Al-Aleimi and activist Ahmed Douma, who recently received presidential pardon after nearly a decade in prison on politically motivated charges, these releases, while important and necessary, do not rise to the level of ending the systematic repression that has occurred over the past decade.
Moreover, the organizations added that recent events, such as the arrest of Gamal Ziada, the arrest of journalist Karim Asaad, and harassment of fact-finding websites and independent media platform Mada Masr, serve as undeniable evidence that the Egyptian authorities lack the political will to implement meaningful reforms.
The signing organizations considered these actions as retaliatory attempts to silence voices challenging the current situation boldly and exposing human rights violations. They called on all organizations and human rights defenders to condemn these violations, emphasizing that they should stand united against repression to demonstrate that their shared commitment to human rights and human rights defenders knows no boundaries.
The statement concluded that the road to promoting human rights and democracy in Egypt is still filled with challenges. However, their determination to uphold these values and their solidarity must continue to ensure a future marked by justice and freedom for all individuals. By signing this statement, they declare their unity and commitment to defending justice, freedom, and the fundamental rights of every individual. Together, they transcend boundaries and work to amplify the voices that echo aspirations for a brighter and more just future for the Egyptian people. May this be a beacon of hope and inspiration for all those who believe in the transformative power of collective action.
Additionally, 380 journalists and public figures also signed a statement calling on the Egyptian authorities to immediately release Gamal Abdel Hamid Ziada, the father of journalist Ahmed Gamal Ziada. They considered the arrest of the father due to his son’s work as a blatant violation of human rights, press freedom, and freedom of expression. Mary Lawlor, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, expressed her concern about the detention of Ahmed Gamal Ziada’s father in Egypt and his alleged involvement in a banned group, apparently in retaliation for his son’s work. The International Federation of Journalists published a statement on its website in English, urging the Egyptian authorities to release Gamal Abdel Hamid Ziada and to stop intimidating the press.
On August 22, 2023, security forces detained Gamal Abdel Hamid Ziada after his son posted topics related to human rights, the seriousness of the national dialogue, and concerns about the upcoming presidential elections.
Security forces verified Gamal Ziada’s national identification card and held him in an undisclosed location. National security officers questioned him about his son Ahmed Gamal Ziada, his involvement with human rights organizations, and his journalistic activities. His ID card and mobile phone were confiscated. The following day, Ziada appeared before the State Security Prosecution, accused of disseminating false news, misusing social media, and affiliating with a subversive group. Despite Gamal Ziada’s limited activity on social media, he manages a Facebook account for promotional purposes related to his clothing workshop. Although he hadn’t engaged in any political activities, he was detained under case number 2064/2023, with a 15-day remand pending investigation, and he was transferred to Cairo’s Tenth of Ramadan Prison.
Ahmed Gamal Ziada, a 34-year-old researcher and human rights advocate, was previously arrested in 2013 and 2019. The first arrest pertained to his journalistic work, while the second was linked to a report he published about prisons and detainees with the Arab Network for Human Rights Information. He has collaborated with platforms like “Mada Masr,” “Raseef 22,” “Daraj,” and “Middle East Eye.” He has also worked as a human rights researcher with organizations such as the Arab Network for Human Rights Information, the Nadeem Center for Victims of Violence and Torture, and the Adalah Center for Rights and Freedoms. In December 2019, Ziada traveled to Belgium for three months to participate in a fellowship program with “EuroMed Rights,” advocating for human rights and press freedom, and engaging with civil society organizations and human rights institutions. At Cairo International Airport on his way to Belgium, he was detained and interrogated by national security officers, his belongings were confiscated, and he narrowly escaped a fate similar to what he faced in January 2019. Fortunately, his belongings were returned to him after nearly 90 minutes, and he was released. He decided to stay longer in Belgium to continue his academic studies and earned a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the Free University of Brussels.are
