EGYPT: FORMER PRISONERS AND RIGHTS DEFENDERS UNDER TRAVEL BAN

For up to six years, the Egyptian authorities have imposed arbitrary travel bans on researcher, Ahmed Samir Santawy, human rights lawyer, Mohamed El-Baqer, and senior staff at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), Karim Ennarah and Mohamed Basheer, and former EIPR Executive Director, Gasser Abdel Razek. The authorities weaponize travel bans to punish and silence formerly imprisoned human rights defenders and activists solely for exercising their human rights. In addition to violating the right to freedom of movement, these arbitrary restrictions have violated the right to education, work and family life by preventing those under travel ban from studying, taking up employment opportunities, and reuniting with family members abroad. They also have a chilling impact on human rights work and the right to freedom of association by barring human defenders from traveling abroad including for advocacy, networking, or training.

Call for an end to the use of travel bans against human rights defenders, former prisoners, and others targeted solely for exercising their human rights, and ensure that any restrictions on freedom of movement fully comply with Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: December 29, 2026

Here is how you can take action:

1. Send a letter to the Egyptian authorities
2. Send an email to the Egyptian authorities
3. Post on social media

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).