The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the Egyptian authorities to put an end to all forms of harassment against independent journalists and media, who are facing multiple legal proceedings.
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10/11/2026
by
Lusa
O United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today called on the Egyptian authorities to “end all forms of harassment against journalists and independent media,” which face multiple lawsuits.
“ We are witnessing an intensification of the attacks on press freedom by the Egyptian authorities, which are targeting, persecuting and harassing independent journalists,” said Thameen Al-Kheetan in a statement.
In recent weeks, the Egyptian authorities have detained the entire Matsadaash Fact Check Portal team, ordered the closing of the main independent media portal, Mada Masr, and sentenced by default its director, Lina Attalah, to a one-year prison sentence.
“ This alarming situation must end immediately. Journalists need to be able to carry out their work without intimidation or reprisals ", defended the spokesman.
According to the High Commissioner, six journalists, representing the entire Matsadaash team, are still in custody and, according to their lawyers, “were subjected to torture and other forms of mistreatment, and forced to record false confessions”.
Al-Thameen also denounced the “constant judicial harassment” against Lina Attalah, who, he said, is related to her journalistic work.
Convicted last month for managing an unauthorised portal, she was arrested before being released after payment of a fine. The court also ordered the closing of the gate.
The journalist is expected to appear again in court this week in relation to another case dating back to 2024, the UN agency noted, expressing “renewed concerns about due legal proceedings and fair trials, particularly regarding obstacles to access to legal remedies”.
Journalists arrested also have, as the High Commissioner pointed out, the right to have confidential access to lawyers, contact with family members, necessary medical assistance and access to medicines, and human conditions of detention are guaranteed.
“ All allegations of torture, mistreatment or forced confessions must be promptly investigated and those responsible must be tried, defended.
“ We call on Egypt to end all forms of harassment against journalists and media, and to respect and guarantee the right to freedom of expression, including the right to information,” he reiterated.
The spokesman specifically asked the Egyptian authorities to “liberate all Matsadaash journalists and drop the charges against them for their legitimate journalistic work.”.
In addition, it required the reversal of the measures taken to “stop the work” of Matsadaash and Mada Masr.
“ The Egyptian people have the right to read and listen to the opinions expressed through these platforms on matters of legitimate public interest,” he stressed.