Egypt

On 3 May, the Egyptian government launched a national dialogue that had been announced by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in April 2022, aimed at addressing the country's economic and political challenges. The dialogue is seen as a key opportunity for policy reforms and political changes that reflect the aspirations of the Egyptian people, and should provide a platform to address and reconcile conflicting perspectives, promote inclusivity, and foster a sense of national unity.  However, the process has been overshadowed by a crackdown on dissent, with numerous arrests of opposition politicians and activists. This has raised concerns about freedom of expression and the inclusivity of the dialogue. The arrests have undermined the potential for genuine consensus and reconciliation, drawing international condemnation. Critics argue that the dialogue lacks meaningful participation from opposition groups and is one-sided in favour of the government. The lack of inclusivity and the government's credibility issues have cast doubts on the dialogue's effectiveness in bringing about meaningful change in Egypt.

Arbitrary Detention Abdel Fattah el-Sisi National Dialogue

On 15 January, the Cairo Criminal Court sentenced 38 people to life in prison due to their participation in anti-government protests that took place across the country in 2019. The sentences were the conclusion of a mass trial involving 103 defendants. Twenty-three of these individuals were tried in absentia, including Mohamed Ali, whose videos are credited with helping to inspire the protests. The verdict also included long-term prison sentences to 44 others, including 22 children, with terms ranging from five to 15 years in prison over the same allegations. The proceedings were based on anti-terrorism legislation that grants the state prosecution powers deemed unconstitutional by rights groups. The Egyptian government has in recent years jailed anyone perceived as political opponents, activists or human rights defenders, with an estimated 65,000 political prisoners in 2021, arrested for their opposition to the Sisi government.

Death Penalty

The Egyptian government announced that it reclaimed a majority of Warraq Island, located southwest of Cairo on the Nile River. Several reports indicate security forces have evicted residents and demolished their homes, claiming they are infringing on state property, despite the people’s legal rights to the land, and claimed evictions to be "in the public interest". Residents remained defiant, with clashes erupting between residents and security forces, who used violence and tear gas to disperse the former.

Protests