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UN Human Rights Office Condemns Egypt's Widening Assault on Press Freedom, Demands Release of Jailed Journalists

UN Human Rights Office Condemns Egypt's Widening Assault on Press Freedom, Demands Release of Jailed Journalists

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has issued a strong condemnation of Egypt's escalating crackdown on press freedom, highlighting the detention of six journalists from the fact-checking website Matsadash. These journalists—Mohamed Ashraf Abu Emeira, Abdallah Qadry, Islam Barakat, Omar Helal, Mohamed Mahmoud, and Mohamed Adel—reportedly remain in detention and have alleged torture and forced confessions. Additionally, Lina Attalah, chief editor of the independent online news outlet Mada Masr, faces ongoing judicial harassment, including a recent conviction for operating an unlicensed website, which led to its closure. The OHCHR spokesperson, Thameen Al-Kheetan, emphasized that these actions represent a widening assault on independent media by Egyptian authorities, urging an immediate end to such practices and calling for journalists to operate without intimidation or reprisals. The UN office has demanded the release of all Matsadash reporters and the overturning of measures suppressing Matsadash and Mada M...

'We are not the problem,' editor of news outlet that Egyptian court ordered to close tells AP

'We are not the problem,' editor of news outlet that Egyptian court ordered to close tells AP

The editor-in-chief of one of Egypt’s last independent media outlets says silencing journalists will only allow disinformation to flourish

UN Working Group Continues Negotiations on Business and Human Rights Treaty Amidst Divisions

UN Working Group Continues Negotiations on Business and Human Rights Treaty Amidst Divisions

The UN Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group concluded its twelfth session in Geneva from October 12 to 16, 2026, continuing negotiations on a proposed legally binding instrument concerning transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights. The discussions focused on provisions related to international cooperation, institutional arrangements, implementation, definitions, and the treaty's scope. The Chair-Rapporteur, Marcelo Vázquez Bermúdez of Ecuador, introduced suggested reformulations for 22 selected provisions to facilitate negotiations. A significant point of contention remains the scope of the instrument, with some delegations, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Egypt, advocating for a narrower focus on transnational corporations, while others support broader coverage of all business activities. Questions regarding legal liability and jurisdiction also remain central, with some states emphasizing consistency with international law and national judicial so...

US to skip UN human rights review, drawing censure

US to skip UN human rights review, drawing censure

By Emma Farge GENEVA, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The United States will spurn a UN meeting on Tuesday where its human rights record under President Donald Trump was due to be examined, drawing criticism from rights groups who say violations have surged to levels not seen in decades.

G7 allies to assess impact of Trump's midterm setback at Paris talks

G7 allies to assess impact of Trump's midterm setback at Paris talks

By John Irish PARIS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - A G7 foreign ministers gathering in Paris on Monday will provide the first opportunity for Washington's allies to gauge whether a US midterm defeat for President Donald Trump alters the administration's approach to Ukraine, the Middle East and ties with its

G7 talks in Paris try to tackle unresolved global crises with uncertainty high over the US approach

G7 talks in Paris try to tackle unresolved global crises with uncertainty high over the US approach

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized democracies have begun two days of talks in Paris with clear differences on multiple unresolved global crises

G7 talks in Paris to focus on unresolved global crises with questions over US approach

G7 talks in Paris to focus on unresolved global crises with questions over US approach

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized democracies have begun two days of talks in Paris as they struggle with multiple unresolved world crises amid questions how U.S. President Donald Trump will approach foreign policy after his Republican Party’s big losses in last week’s congressional elections

South Korea and Egypt Elevate Bilateral Relations to Strategic Partnership in Seoul Summit

South Korea and Egypt Elevate Bilateral Relations to Strategic Partnership in Seoul Summit

South Korea and Egypt have elevated their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership following a summit in Seoul. This development, marked by the issuance of a Joint Statement, aims to translate previous agreements into tangible outcomes for both populations. The two nations made significant progress in five major areas and signed or revised a total of 12 cooperation documents. Key agreements include launching negotiations for a Korea–Egypt Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signing an Agreement on Social Insurance, and MOUs on Shipbuilding Cooperation, Clean Energy, Electric Power Infrastructure, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). This summit follows a visit by the South Korean President to Egypt last year, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

US skips UN human rights review, drawing criticism

US skips UN human rights review, drawing criticism

By Emma Farge GENEVA, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The United States spurned a UN meeting on Tuesday where its human rights record under President Donald Trump was due to be examined, drawing criticism from rights groups who say violations have surged to levels not seen in decades.

UAE's Gargash warns of prolonged regional uncertainty, says US-Iran settlement appears difficult

UAE's Gargash warns of prolonged regional uncertainty, says US-Iran settlement appears difficult

By Alexander Cornwell ABU DHABI, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash warned on Monday that the region could face a prolonged period of uncertainty, saying a comprehensive political settlement between the United States and Iran to end the more than eight-month war appeared to be

G7 talks in Paris tackle unresolved global crises with questions over US approach

G7 talks in Paris tackle unresolved global crises with questions over US approach

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized democracies have opened two days of talks in Paris as they struggle with multiple unresolved world crises amid questions about how U.S. President Donald Trump will approach foreign policy after his Republican Party’s big losses in last week’s congressional elections

UN body agrees to postpone review of US rights record after Trump administration snub

UN body agrees to postpone review of US rights record after Trump administration snub

The U.N.'s Human Rights Council has delayed a review of the U.S. human rights record until January