Today in Egypt, hundreds of thousands of protesters have gathered for what is being called the ‘Million Man’ protest, calling for President Hosni Mubarak to step down and corruption, poverty and police abuses to end.
Amnesty International is urging the Egyptian military to respect the rights of protesters as Cairo demonstrators held their biggest protest yet.
If you haven’t already, take action by calling the Egyptian Embassy.
Days after Egyptian authorities went after one blogger critical of the government’s policy on Gaza and human rights, they’re now going after another. Dia’ el Din Gad, a student blogger is believed to have been held incommunicado in the custody of State Security Investigations (SSI) services and at risk of torture since his Feb. 6. (Click here for more)
As bloggers have emerged as an active and important voice in promoting democracy and human rights, the government has responded, including Amnesty International prisoner of conscience Karim Amer. It’s part of a larger effort to shut down all public criticism of the government in the press and beyond.
For all of the attention given to the release of Ayman Nour, obstentively as a charm initiative in preparation for a Mubarak visit to DC, the arrest of Dia’el Din Gad is a warning for the Obama administration. This week, the Washington Post sums up the dangers in an editorial here.
To take action on the Dia’el Din Gad, case, click here.