Ramsco's Women Empowerment Initiative Recognized Among Top BRICS Businesswomen Practices for 2025    Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    Gold prices end July with modest gains    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Egypt's FM, US envoy discuss Gaza ceasefire, Iran nuclear talks    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Federal Reserve maintains interest rates    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Egypt, Oman discuss environmental cooperation    Egypt's EDA explores pharma cooperation with Belarus    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Worldwide protests to mark anniversary of imprisoned student blogger
Published in Daily News Egypt on 16 - 10 - 2007

CAIRO: As the one year anniversary of the detainment of student blogger Kareem Amer approaches, activists of the online campaign Free Kareem Coalition are preparing for a day of worldwide protests in early November in support of the imprisoned cyber dissident.
The anniversary campaign entitled "One Year is Enough has confirmed demonstrations outside the Egyptian embassies in New York City, Washington DC, Germany, the Netherlands, and in Romania on Nov. 9.
Activists aim, however, to organize rallies in at least 15 cities around the world, including London, Paris, and Stockholm.
"The demonstrations are intended to mark Kareem s one year in prison. He was detained on Nov. 6, 2006, but the actual sentence wasn't handed out until three months later. We are planning to organize rallies then too, Esra'a Al Shafei of the Free Kareem Coalition told Daily News Egypt.
It was in February this year that the 21-year-old former Al-Azhar student was sentenced to four years in prison for insulting Islam and President Hosni Mubarak on his weblog. The case marks the first time Egypt subjects an internet blogger to a prison term and the sentencing has sparked heavy criticism of the Egyptian authorities from human rights groups as well as representatives of foreign governments.
During the first months of Amer's imprisonment, the Free Kareem Coalition organized numerous rallies for Amer's release in US and European capitals. The activist group now hopes that the one-year anniversary campaign will help create new momentum in the case.
"Our campaign is already receiving a lot of attention because people are thinking 'wow, it s been a year' since Kareem was sentenced. Most bloggers in the Arab world who get arrested are usually kept in detainment for a few months at the most. Kareem's case is unique in this regard, Al Shafei said.
Furthermore, Amer supposedly sent out a new letter from his prison cell a few days ago in which he reflects on his year in detainment and denounces the "enemies of freedom' who put him in prison.
"I write, with the completion of a whole year in prison approaching, with my cuffed freedom and restricted movements. The tough experience pushed me to realize the bitterness of injustice, that indescribable feeling which has no parallel, particularly if applied to a victim who is not guilty. I did nothing but merely practice my legitimate right to [free] speech, guaranteed by all civil and humanitarian rules despite the tyrants who do not approve of it, the blogger stated, according to the Free Kareem Coalition.
Amer claims that he has not been allowed to use pens in prison until recently which forced him to previously dictate his letters.
He is now, however, allegedly allowed to write and exchange mails although his letters are subject to censorship .
"Kareem can send and receive letters but not all packages reach him; especially books, Al Shafei added.


Clic here to read the story from its source.