Cairo: 20 May, 2019
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) said, today, that many opponents refused to downsize or limit their country to a single institution or a group of people. They practiced their right to criticize this institution or these people so they were deemed by official bodies to be the enemies of the homeland, and consequently launched against them a war of starvation.
This seems reminiscent of the United States’ McCarthy Era in the 1950s.
This subject was addressed by ANHRI in a position paper entitled “Starved because of an opinion…About the siege of critics and their deprivation of employment”. This policy of starvation target politicians, human rights defenders and journalists, and went further to include former political detainees whether who had been sentenced or haven’t yet, in addition to citizens who have no political activity but expressed resentment towards any of the regime’s plans.
ANHRI said “In 2014, we released a report- entitled “McCarthyism Entrenches in Egypt”- addressing the same practices, but instead of backing down from such measure, which violates all principles of justice and human rights, the authorities have expanded its use of McCarthyism; to the extent that it reached some of the government’s supporters themselves creating a climate of hatred and animosity rather than a mere climate of dissidence”.
The Arabic Network still hopes that decision makers in Egypt exercise prudence and show respect for human rights; by putting an end to the policy of starvation, ensuring respect for the right to political dissent and halting the crackdown and starvation of opponents, in accordance with the simplest rules and foundations of establishing a democratic society.
