The ACIJLP Condemns Attacks on journalists And calls upon the Egyptian government to ensure the protection of freedom of opinion and expression

Cairo, 9^th August 2012 

                                                                                                    

The ACIJLP Condemns Attacks on journalists

And calls upon the Egyptian government to ensure the protection of freedom of opinion and expression

The Arab Center for the Independence of Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) expresses its deep concern and dismay over the assault on Mr. Khaled Salah, the editor-in-chief of Al- Youm El Saba newspaper in the Media Production City on Wednesday 9 August 2012. The ACIJLP is concerned that these attacks will be the beginning of a series of attacks that violate the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

The ACIJLP stresses that the phase experienced by the Arab Republic of Egypt requires respect for the Egyptian international commitments and conventions, especially the conventions and commitments related to human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Egypt on 14^th January 1982 and entered into force and published in the Official Gazette on 15^th April 1982 in which Article 19, paragraph (2) stated that " Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice".

It should be noted that this article has pointed out that the freedom of opinion and expression may be subject to certain restrictions, provided that specified by law and are necessary for respect of the rights or reputations of others or necessary to protect national security, public order, public health or public morals.

The ACIJLP is concerned over the fact that the current stage will witness, due to the absence of activating the principle of the rule of law, many violations of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The ACIJLP indicates the necessity of activating the principle of the rule of law and the accountability and prosecution of perpetrators of violations and a fair trial and holding fair trial.

The ACIJLP calls upon the President and the Egyptians Government to take the necessary and urgent measures in order to protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression and circulation of information.