HR group slams restrictive laws on publishing

The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) conducted a study into legal restrictions on publication in Egypt, calling on the state to amend certain laws governing press freedoms and adhere to international standards.

The study, titled “censorship on publications,” released on Monday, involves an analysis of Egyptian laws concerning censorship, in addition to a number of penalties for what it calls “crimes of publishing and openness.”

AFTE examined restrictions on the printing, distribution and sale of publications, the censorship of newspapers and the legal frameworks for publishing.

The organization criticized a number of laws, including Article 4 of the Publications Act, which prohibits the selling or distribution of publications on public highways and commercial premises. “This is a dangerous restriction, as prior authorization is required for publication, rather than the confronting of actual crimes,” the study said, in reference to the Egyptian Press Law of 1996, which mandates a license for publishing.

“The Egyptian Government should allow individuals to publish periodic and non-periodic publications without imposing unnecessary restrictions, obliging them only to give notification, rather than demanding prior authorization of content,” it continued.

The study highlighted sanctions for violations of the law, including the prohibiting of publication and removal of licenses. 

It also raised concerns that limits on the state censorship of newspapers under the Press Law (1996) do not have to be upheld during periods of emergency and times of war, allowing greater censorship of issues relating to public safety and national security.

Under emergency law, the president can issue orders to monitor messages, censor newspapers, pamphlets, publications and all means of expression and advertising prior to publication.

The Press Law, emergency law and the Constitutional Declaration do not include any guidelines for monitoring the executive branch’s interpretation of these exceptions, the study said.

Furthermore, laws governing the Egyptian press also restrict the publication of anything contradicting the “values ​​of society and the foundations and principles of etiquette.” This falls under the legal protection of “morals” and “public decency,” it further asserted. 

“The morals factor, which is linked to a set of values ​​that the state has proclaimed itself guardian of, violates the right of the recipient to choose between what he wants and does not want to read.”

AFTE demands the annulment of the Publication Act of 1937 and the amendment of the Press Law of 1996 to guarantee freedom of expression and urges the Egyptian government to adhere to international obligations, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights.

AFTE is an independent human rights organization, founded in 2006 by a group of activists and professionals.

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