CPJ calls on European Commission to stand for press freedom during el-Sisi visit – CPJ Press Freedom Online

Brussels, February 14, 2022 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen must speak out on media freedom when she meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi this week, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday.

Egyptian President el-Sisi has systematically attacked the press, imprisoned journalists, and silenced critical voices, said Tom Gibson, CPJs EU representative. The European Commission should abide by its values and demand during el-Sisis upcoming visit that Egyptian authorities cease their repression of the media. The commission cannot let business carry on as usual.

Von der Leyen is scheduled to receive el-Sisi at a meeting on February 17, while he is in Brussels to attend a summit between the European Union and the African Union.

In its 2021 prison census, CPJ documented at least 25 journalists in detention in Egypt, making it the worlds third-worst jailer of journalists. Egyptian authorities have repeatedly harassed and censored journalists through legal threats, surveillance, and imprisonment.

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CPJ calls on European Commission to stand for press freedom during el-Sisi visit - CPJ Press Freedom Online