British-Egyptian Activist Alaa Abdel Fattah Released from Prison After Almost Six Years
CAIRO — British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah was released from prison on Monday, marking the end of almost six years of imprisonment in Egypt. The 43-year-old blogger and pro-democracy advocate was pardoned by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi after a request from the National Council for Human Rights.
Abdel Fattah's release comes as a significant development in Egypt's human rights landscape, where thousands of activists and dissidents have been imprisoned since the 2013 military coup. His family, including his mother Laila Soueif and sister Sanaa Seif, were overjoyed to see him reunited with them at their apartment in Giza.
"I cannot yet comprehend that this is real," Sanaa Seif said, visibly emotional as she hugged her brother tightly. "We have been waiting for so long, and it's a relief to finally have Alaa back home."
Laila Soueif, who went on an extensive hunger strike during her son's imprisonment, expressed gratitude towards the National Council for Human Rights for its efforts in securing Abdel Fattah's release. "Despite our great joy, the biggest joy is when there are no political prisoners," she said.
Abdel Fattah was arrested in 2019 during a crackdown on dissent and sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of spreading false news and belonging to a banned group. His imprisonment drew international attention and criticism from human rights organizations worldwide.
The release of Abdel Fattah marks a rare instance of clemency by the Egyptian government, which has been accused of widespread human rights abuses. The move is seen as a gesture towards improving Egypt's image on the global stage ahead of its bid to host the 2023 African Union Summit.
Human rights groups have welcomed the development but remain cautious about the implications. "While we welcome Alaa Abdel Fattah's release, it's essential to remember that thousands of other activists and dissidents remain imprisoned in Egypt," said Sarah Leah Whitson, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The Egyptian government must take concrete steps towards releasing all political prisoners and upholding its international human rights obligations."
As Abdel Fattah settles back into his life with his family, the international community is watching closely to see if this development marks a genuine shift in Egypt's approach to human rights or merely a tactical move to improve its image.
Background:
Abdel Fattah has been one of Egypt's most prominent political prisoners since 2019. His imprisonment was part of a broader crackdown on dissent and opposition voices in the country, which has seen thousands of activists and dissidents arrested and imprisoned.
The National Council for Human Rights, established by President al-Sisi in 2013, has been criticized for its limited powers and lack of independence from the government. However, its efforts to secure Abdel Fattah's release have been welcomed by human rights groups as a positive development.
Next Developments:
As Abdel Fattah adjusts to life outside prison, his family and supporters are urging him to continue advocating for human rights and democracy in Egypt. The international community will be watching closely to see if this development marks a genuine shift in Egypt's approach to human rights or merely a tactical move to improve its image.
In related news, the Egyptian government has announced plans to release several other political prisoners as part of a broader amnesty program. However, human rights groups remain skeptical about the government's intentions and are calling for concrete actions towards releasing all political prisoners and upholding international human rights obligations.
*Reporting by Bbc.*
