So That Victims Are Not Turned into Defendants: A Joint Statement Concerning the Referral to Trial of “Al-Bawaba News” Journalists and Two Members of the Syndicate Council

Sunday, 22 February,2026

The undersigned political parties and human rights organizations express their profound concern regarding the referral of eleven journalists—including two members of the Board of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, Mahmoud Kamel and Iman Afifi—to criminal trial on charges of defamation in Case No. 1084 of 2026 (Qasr El-Nil Misdemeanors Court). The charges arise from their participation in a peaceful protest held on the steps of the Syndicate, during which they demanded legitimate professional and financial rights, foremost among them the payment of overdue salaries, the application of the Labor Law, and compliance with the statutory minimum wage approved by the President of the Republic.

On January 6, the Public Prosecution investigated a complaint filed by Abdel Rahim Ali, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Bawaba News, and his daughter, Editor-in-Chief Dalia Abdel Rahim Ali, against the journalists, alleging unlawful assembly without a permit, as well as insult and defamation. The journalists were subsequently referred to trial, and the first hearing was convened on Sunday, February 22.

In addition, journalist Mahmoud El-Batakoushi—one of the eleven defendants—was referred to the Economic Court on charges of insulting and defaming Abdel Rahim Ali and his daughter through a page that, in substance, contains no more than complaints and demands relating to the statutory minimum wage. Contrary to the allegations made by the owners of Al-Bawaba News, the page contains no defamatory or insulting content.

The signatories affirm that the prosecution of journalists who have been staging a sit-in since mid-November to demand their lawful rights constitutes a dangerous precedent that undermines freedom of the press and labor rights. It reflects attempts by employers to evade their legal obligations to secure a minimum standard of decent living by resorting to litigation, intimidation, and the politicization of labor disputes in order to target individuals advancing legitimate claims.

The signatories further emphasize that the rights to organize, to peacefully express professional demands, and to receive fair remuneration are rights guaranteed under the Constitution, applicable national legislation, and relevant international conventions.

They also express grave concern regarding the continued failure to conclude investigations into the assault on Al-Bawaba News journalists and the forcible dispersal of their sit-in at the newspaper’s headquarters in Dokki on January 11 by nine individuals reportedly hired for that purpose, who remain at large. This situation raises serious concerns regarding accountability and the effective guarantees of justice, particularly as investigations remain pending before the Public Prosecution.

Finally, the signatories declare their full solidarity with the nine Al-Bawaba News journalists—and with every journalist asserting their lawful rights—as well as with the two Syndicate Council members for their principled role in defending the rights of their colleagues. They call for:

1. The immediate cessation of all legal proceedings arising from the peaceful protest.

2. The prompt payment of all outstanding financial entitlements and the non-discriminatory implementation of the Labor Law and the statutory minimum wage.

3. The expeditious completion of investigations into the assault incidents and the accountability of those responsible.

4. Full respect for constitutional guarantees concerning freedom of the press and the right to peaceful assembly.

Signatories:

• Solidarity Union of Labor Syndicates

• Egyptian Communist Party

• Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights

• Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms

• Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights

• Egyptian Platform for Human Rights

• Permanent Conference of Working Women

• Revolutionary Socialists

• Popular Socialist Alliance Party