Marwa Arafa, Egyptian human rights activist and translator, has been arbitrarily detained for nearly six years solely in relation to her activism, including supporting relatives of detainees. In December 2024, the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP) referred her to trial before the Cairo Criminal Court on bogus charges of joining and financing a terrorist organization. On April 20, 2020, security forces arrested Marwa Arafa from her apartment in Cairo without presenting an arrest warrant; and subsequently subjected her to enforced disappearance for 14 days. Marwa Arafa was arrested in front of her then 2-year-old daughter, causing her child significant trauma. Marwa Arafa’s health has severely deteriorated in prison. Despite this, authorities are refusing her the medical care she needs. Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Marwa Arafa and drop all charges against her as she is detained solely for exercising her human rights.
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PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: June 6, 2026
Dear Counselor,
I am gravely concerned over the prolonged arbitrary detention of human rights activist Marwa Arafa, aged 33, who has been in pre-trial detention for nearly six years solely for exercising her human rights, including providing support for families of individuals detained for political reasons. On April 20, 2020, security forces raided Marwa Arafa’s house in Nasr City, Cairo, and arrested her in front of her then two-year-old daughter, causing her child significant trauma. Security forces forcibly disappeared her for 14 days while her family sought information about her fate and whereabouts. On May 4, 2020, she appeared before the SSSP in Case No.570 and was interrogated on unfounded accusations of “joining a terrorist group and financing terrorism”. Her rights to a fair trial have been violated, including her right to adequate defense. Her next hearing is scheduled for February 15, 2026.
In August 2025, Marwa Arafa suffered from a pulmonary embolism due to extreme heat and severe anemia. Despite this, authorities returned her to her cell after only one night at the prison hospital, without completing her diagnosis and treatment. Multiple requests from her family and lawyer to transfer her to an appropriate medical facility outside prison were rejected by the SSSP.
I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Marwa Arafa and drop all charges against her, as she is detained solely for exercising her human rights. Pending her release, she must be held in conditions meeting international standards for the treatment of prisoners and be granted access to adequate healthcare, including in outside hospitals, if necessary, as well as to her family and lawyers.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
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