Egyptian Journalists Syndicate demands release of 23 pretrial detainees

Egyptian Journalists Syndicate has reiterated its demand to release 23 journalists held in pretrial detention for expressing their opinion.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the syndicate’s Press Freedom Committee said several requests to release fellow journalists have been sent to the relevant state agencies, including the Public Prosecutor’s office, the Presidential Pardon Committee and the National Dialogue’s Board of Trustees.

The committee described the recent orders to arrest a number of journalists, or release others, as “negative” messages conveyed by the ruling regime, which reflect “a retreat from the steps that have been achieved in this file.”

It also stressed the need to reconsider the draft Criminal Procedures Law currently being discussed by the Legislative Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, and to present it for public dialogue, and not to pass it in a manner that does not match the aspirations of all component bodies of society, especially since it represents a fundamental pillar in the judicial system.

“The draft bill undermined all efforts made in the national dialogue sessions, which raises many questions and doubts about its effectiveness,” it said, adding that the national dialogue sessions have witnessed extensive discussions of the draft law’s articles related to pretrial detention leading to consensus on recommended amendments, however, the bill presented to the parliament came in the form of a comprehensive draft that neglects many of the recommendations.

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