This afternoon, UK Independence Party Euro MP Derek Clark, intervening in the Euro-Mediterranean debate in the European Parliament, brought up the case of Kareem Amer’s imprisonment: Free Speech requires action.

(Thanks to Gawain Towler of the Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament).

UK INDEPENDENCE PARTY
& ID Group in the European Parliament
Reg. Office: 2 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9AA
Tel. 0207-222-9365 Fax 0207-222-2183

For immediate release 14th March 2007

Free Speech requires action

Speaking in Strasbourg today, the UK Independence Party Euro MP, Derek Clark called for the plight of imprisoned Egyptian blogger to be recognized when the EU considered free trade with the Euro Med countries of North Africa.

He brought attention to the imprisonment of the blogger when, describing himself as a heretic he said, “I hope not to suffer the fate of Kareem Amer, sentenced to 4 years jail in Egypt for criticising both his government and the violent radicals in his country“.

Mr. Clark affirmed his belief in freedom of speech and questioned whether taxpayer’s money should be going to countries such as Egypt. He said, “Only last week the EU signed an Action Plan with Egypt, but made no demands that that country in which it states, ‘Support Egyptian government efforts to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in line with international conventions to which Egypt is party’. This pure hypocrisy in the light of the continued imprisonment of Kareem whose only offence is exercise his right to freedom of speech“.

Notes for editors
The Free Kareem Campaign can be found here,
http://www.freekareem.org/about/
The EU Egypt Action Plan can be found here
http://www.eu-delegation.org.eg/en/eu_and_country/association.htm

For More Information
Derek Clark +44 (0) 766064
Gawain Towler 0032 2496 510 711

You can read the entire Action Plan here: EU/Egypt ENP Action Plan endorsed.

*** To our new visitors who watched the CNN segment: Welcome to our Web site! You can learn how you can help Kareem by visiting our action center: What You Can Do. ***

Kareem was on one of the main headlines on CNN.com this morning. A video of his trial is available: Cairo Cracks Down on Bloggers.

The video includes:
- Footage of Kareem in court on February 22;
- Prosecuting lawyer Mohamed Dawoud’s statement: “I hope every judge, if they get a similar case, will give the same judgment, based on the wishes of God.”;
- Elijah Zarwan, of Human Rights Watch in Cairo, tells CNN: Kareem’s imprisonment is a “chilling precedent”;
- Interviews with other Egyptian bloggers; and
- Coverage of FreeKareem.org!

However, a clarification is in order: The reporter remarked that Kareem’ blog “may be closed”. Kareem’s blog is not shut down. It is available here, and we have provided translations for some of his articles.

UPDATE: Now on YouTube as well:

Egypt 12 March 2007

Appeal court upholds four-year sentence for blogger “Kareem Amer”

The four-year prison sentence imposed on 22 February on blogger Abdel Kareem Nabil Suleiman for “inciting hatred of Islam” and insulting President Hosni Mubarak was confirmed on an appeal today in Alexandria, 24 hours after an Alexandria judge brought a complaint accusing 21 websites of attacking Mubarak.

“All of Egypt’s Internet users are being targeted through Suleiman,” the press freedom organisation said. “A threat is now hanging over their heads. We fear that other arrests and website closures could soon take place as the authorities seem to have decided to bring Internet users into line.”

During today’s appeal hearing, the presiding judge ruled that the courts could accept complaints brought by individual lawyers demanding reparations from Suleiman for “insulting” Islam in his blog, for which he used the pseudonym “Kareem Amer.” He said Suleiman would appear soon before a civil court, which could order him to pay damages to lawyers who had brought complaints. For more information

Meanwhile, Alexandria appeal court president Abdel Fattah Murad yesterday brought a complaint against the Egyptian government, demanding the closure of 21 websites that “attack the President of the Republic.” Local sources told Reporters Without Borders that the website of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information and the very popular blogs Baheyya and Gharbeia were among the sites concerned.

Egypt is one of the countries which Reporters Without Borders has identified as Internet Enemies. Nonetheless, it has been asked by the United Nations to host an Internet Governance Forum in 2009.

Lobby against Egypt’s inclusion in 2009 Internet Governance Forum by contacting Nitin Desai, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Internet Governance:

United Nations
Secretariat of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10
Swiss Confederation

Tel: +41 22 917 57 59
Fax: +41 22 917 00 92
E-mail: igf AT unog DOT ch

Learn how else you can help Kareem: What You Can Do.

Press Release

Interfaith Coalition Condemns Egyptian Court for Denying Arrested Blogger’s Appeal
Calls on President Hosni Mubarak to Pardon Kareem Amer

MARCH 12, 2007

NEW YORK–The Free Kareem Coalition is saddened by the Egyptian appeals court’s decision to uphold the four-year sentence handed to Abdul Kareem Nabil Suleiman, better known as Kareem Amer, in February for criticizing the Egyptian government and condemning radical Islam. The interfaith coalition has issued an urgent request to Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to pardon Kareem as soon as possible.

According to the Coalition’s New York coordinator, Constantino Diaz-Duran, “Kareem’s continued imprisonment will only serve to draw further negative attention to Egypt’s human rights record, which has been criticized recently by the U.S. State Department; Reporters without Borders; Amnesty International; and Human Rights Watch, among other organizations.” The government of Egypt has offered to host the United Nations Internet Governance Forum in 2009. “Immediately releasing Kareem would show the international community that Egypt is ready to respect freedom of expression and that it can be trusted with a role in shaping the Internet’s future,” said Mohammed Shouman, the Coalition’s Editor and Administrator.

Kareem has been jailed in Alexandria, Egypt, since November 2006. He has been denied access to visitors and his own legal defense team, and his family has publicly denounced him. Because Egyptian prisoners rely on family members to provide clothing and food, Kareem faces a harsh existence without their support. The Free Kareem Coalition is spearheading an effort to deliver food and clothing to Kareem while he awaits release. Donations to the prison aid fund can be made via PayPal at the Coalition’s Web site, www.FreeKareem.org.

Kareem’s supporters can express solidarity in his cause by purchasing “Free Kareem” hats, shirts, and buttons at www.FreeKareem.org. A portion of each sale will go to Kareem’s prison aid fund.

Coalition member Chris Kilmer added that, “While today’s news is undoubtedly frustrating, we believe the continued efforts of well wishers and supporters from around the world can make a difference for Kareem.”

Media Contacts, Free Kareem Coalition:

Mohammed Shouman, Editor and Administrator
editor@freekareem.org

Constantino Diaz-Duran, New York Coordinator
constantino@freekareem.org
+1.202.288.3328

Andrew Perraut, London Coordinator
andrew.perraut@freekareem.org

The Free Kareem Coalition is an interfaith alliance of young bloggers and college students committed to the principles of freedom of thought and freedom of speech.

In addition to U.S. Congressman Trent Franks’ response to the Egyptian Embassy’s letter to The Washington Post, Constantino Diaz-Duran, our New York Coordinator, had his response published.

The letter is unavailable online; we have provided a scanned image of the letter from the paper:

The Quality of Freedom in Egypt

I was happy to read the March 5 letter from Karim Haggag, press attache at the Egyptian Embassy, regarding the jailing of 22-year-old blogger Abdel Karim Soliman. Mr. Haggag is certainly right when he says the judicial process in Egypt includes the right to appeal. In fact, Mr. Soliman’s lawyers have filed an appeal, which will be heard on Monday.

Mr. Haggag’s assertion that freedom of speech is safeguarded in Egypt’s constitution and that government decisions are regularly overturned gives us hope that his government will correct this gross mistake.

CONSTANTINO DIAZ-DURAN
Coordinator, Free Kareem Coalition
New York

UPDATE (March 23):
Apparently, the letter made it onto The Washington Post website after all: The Quality of Freedom in Egypt.

Congressman Trent Franks eloquently responds to the Egyptian Embassy’s letter to the Washington Post: Free This Egyptian Blogger. (Hat tip: Tom Palmer)

Free This Egyptian Blogger
Saturday, March 10, 2007; Page A18

The sentencing of Egyptian blogger Abdelkareem Nabil Soliman [editorial, Feb. 28] seriously threatens freedom of expression and religion throughout Egypt.

While Mr. Soliman was critical of extremism within Islam, the ability to discuss one’s religious beliefs is an important aspect of freedom of religion and expression, both of which are essential in democratic societies and should not be prohibited in legislation. The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief has stated that “defamation of religions may offend people and hurt their religious feelings, but it does not necessarily or at least directly result in a violation of their rights, including their right to freedom of religion.”

In a March 5 letter, the Egyptian Embassy stated that speech defaming religion can be limited for “not just Islam but all religions.”

Yet Egyptian law protects only the three “heavenly religions,” and Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court has refused to recognize the Bahais, who were declared incompatible with Egypt’s nature as an Islamic state. No action has been taken to protect faiths other than Islam, including the Christian Copt minority, a move Mr. Soliman called for.

Egypt is an ally of the United States in the struggle for freedom, receiving nearly $2 billion in foreign aid annually. However, Congress is concerned with Egypt’s stifling of basic human rights. I call on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to immediately pardon Mr. Soliman.

TRENT FRANKS

U.S. Representative (R-Ariz.)

Washington

In January, Rep. Trent Franks and Rep. Barney Frank co-signed a letter to Egypt’s Ambassador to the U.S., in which they called for Kareem Amer’s release.

We thank both U.S. Congressmen for their support, and we look forward to the Egyptian Government’s swift rectification of its mistake in jailing Kareem.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister (who previously said he rejects criticism from anyone, “whoever he may be”, over jailing Kareem) is “angry” that the U.S. State Department’s 2006 human rights report mentions the “poor” respect the Egyptian government has for human rights: Egypt anger over US rights report by the BBC. (Hat tip: Rami)

Egypt anger over US rights report

PHOTO: Abdel Kareem was among several bloggers detained in the last year

Egypt has reacted angrily to criticism of its human rights record by the United States – one of its main allies.

Foreign Minister Ahmad Aboul-Gheit accused the US of interfering in its affairs in the state department’s annual human rights report.

The report mentioned several cases in Egypt including torture of prisoners and allegations of arbitrary arrests.

Mr Aboul-Gheit told the BBC that Egypt had a strong commitment to respecting human rights.

He accused some Western governments of trying to persuade Egyptians to make false allegations.

The state department report also detailed restrictions on the judiciary and on civil liberties.

“The government’s respect for human rights remained poor, and serious abuses continued in many areas,” the report said.

Egypt was one of several other countries friendly to the US where there were poor human rights conditions, the report said, others being China, Pakistan, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Excerpts of the Internet Freedom section of the 2006 Report on Human Rights Practices in Egypt, which also mentions the indefinite detention of Kareem at the end of the year:

On October 30, RSF published a list of 13 countries it labeled as “enemies of the Internet,” a list which included Egypt due to the recent imprisonment of pro-democracy bloggers.

[...]

On June 15, Hala Helmy Boutros, a blogger based in the Upper Egypt city of Qena who had written about Egypt’s Christians, reported that airport security personnel in Cairo prevented her from traveling to the United States to attend a conference on Coptic Christian issues. The authorities ordered Boutros, who had blogged under the name “Hala Al Masry,” to appear in a Cairo State Security Court on June 25. At her June 25 hearing, Boutros faced charges of spreading false news and disrupting Christian-Muslim relations. She was released after paying bail of $525 (LE 3000). After her release, she ceased her blogging and other public activism. She did not appear in court again before year’s end.

On November 6, Alexandria security forces arrested 22-year old student blogger Abdel Karim Nabil Suleiman, whose blog entries had contained strongly-worded critiques of Islam and Al-Azhar’s Sunni Muslim orthodoxy. (Abdel Karim had previously been detained for his writings for 18 days in October 2005.) Abdel Karim had been expelled and reported to the authorities by Al-Azhar University for criticizing Islamic authority. At year’s end, Abdel Karim remained in detention, under a series of renewed detention orders “pending investigation.”

Previously-featured Washington Post article by Raja Kamal and Tom Palmer, The ‘Crime’ Of Blogging in Egypt, has been going through the blogosphere and appearing on other Web sites in other languages:

Arabic: طالب مصري يقبع في السجن… يجب أن يكون في الصف بدلاً من ذلك.

Spanish: El “crímen” de blogear en Egipto.

Russian: Камаль Раджа и Палмер Том.

The world stands by Kareem and every person imprisoned for their words and ideas.

Elaph is a leading Arab liberal Web site that has more than 300,000 readers per day. Dr. Abu Khoula recently published an opinion article on Kareem Amer: محاكمة أزهرية للمدون عبد الكريم (English: ‘An Azharite Sentence to Blogger Abdul Kareem’).

Extensively quoting and analyzing Kareem’s final blog post prior to his arrest (available in English here), the Dr. Abu Khoula makes the following important points:

- It is tragic that Kareem joined Al-Azhar against his will, for the personality of a student cannot develop under an educational system he rejects. Modern schools around the world do not impose their teachings on a student, but rather assist him in expanding his talents by giving him a large space of freedom, such as in choosing educational subjects and activities like art and music.

- Kareem’s tragedy could have been avoided completely were it not for the failures of Egypt in fixing the religious educational curricula.

- Attempting to eliminate an opinion is futile unless it is faced by a disagreeing opinion. For example, we cannot break down an old scientific theory unless a new theory is developed that exposes the old one’s faults.

- This case will tarnish the reputation of Al-Azhar University, as well as Egypt’s educational system and judicial branch.

- The Islamic world today lives in an age of inquisition, which Europe suffered from five centuries ago.

Finally, Dr. Abu Khaoula urges all intellectual and educated Egyptians, particularly Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim, to adopt the case of Abdul Kareem, to demand his immediate release, and to denounce the injustice that he faced from both Al-Azhar and Egypt’s judicial branch.

We also urge them, and every person who believes in free speech, to adopt his case and stand up for Kareem’s basic human rights.

Shortly after Kareem was sentenced to prison on February 22, the Foreign Minister of Egypt told the world he doesn’t care about the global outrage caused by chasing a harmless blogger: القاهرة تستنكر ردود الأفعال على الحكم بسجن مدون. (Hat tip: Ahmed)

We’ve translated the Arabic Al-Jazeera article:

Cairo Condemns Reactions to Sentencing Blogger to Prison

PHOTO: Ahmed Abul-Gheit considers criticism of Abdul Kareem Suleiman’s sentence as interference in the judiciary system.

Egypt strongly criticized the reactions to condemning an Egyptian blogger, who owns a Web site, on charges of attacking Islam and President Hosni Mubarak, and to imprisoning him for four years.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit issued a statement rejecting the intervention of anyone, “whoever he may be”, in the work of the Egyptian judiciary, or anyone commenting on its provisions.

Abul-Gheit also said that Egypt rejects the positions of “some media outlets and non-governmental organizations abroad”, expressing Egypt’s “strong displeasure and dismay” for that.

A court in Alexandria, in northern Egypt, sentenced Abdul Kareem Suleiman to four years in prison under the charges of contempt of the Islamic religion and insulting President Mubarak.

The Moharram Bek Misdemeanor Court sentenced the defendant to three years in prison under the charge of contempt of Islam, and one year under the charge of insulting the President. Suleiman was a student at Al-Azhar University, which expelled him last year and demanded having him tried. He is the first Egyptian blogger to be issued a prison sentence.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said he is “very concerned” about the prison sentence that was imposed on blogger Abdul Kareem Suleiman for expressing his opinions. In addition, foreign human rights organizations, as well as Egyptian organizations, such as the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists and the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, have denounced the sentence.

Eight Articles

Suleiman wrote his articles under the pen name Kareem Amer. He was tried because of eight articles that he published on his blog, in which he strongly criticized Al-Azhar University, which he described as a “university of terrorism and spreading extremist ideas”.

Furthermore, in one of these articles, he strongly criticized Mubarak, equating him with “pharaonic dictators”. In another article entitled “The Naked Truth of Islam as I Saw It”, Suleiman talked about the sectarian confrontations that occurred in Alexandria in 2005, accusing it of inciting sedition and tarnishing the image of Muslims.

Held since last November, Suleiman did not deny writing these articles, but he said that they only reflected his personal opinions. The defense team asserted that he would appeal against the sentence, describing the trial as unjust.

Mr. Abul-Gheit is wondering why the outside world seems to be so concerned about the judicial branch of sovereign Egypt.

Albeit being anachronistic, an eloquent response was written by Kareem Amer himself, shortly before his arrest:

I hereby declare, in all frankness and clarity, my rejection and repudiation of any law, any legislation, and any regime that does not respect the individual’s rights and personal freedom, and does not acknowledge the absolute freedom of the individual in doing anything – as long as he does not affect anyone around him in a physical way –, and does not acknowledge the individuals’ absolute freedom in expressing their opinions, whatever they may be and whatever they cover, as long as this opinion is merely an opinion or words coming from a person, and is not coupled with any physical action that harms others. At the same time, I declare, in all clarity, that such laws do not obligate me in any way, and I do not acknowledge them or their existence. I detest, from the depths of my soul, whoever works on implementing them, whoever uses them as a guide, and whoever is satisfied with their existence or benefits from them. And if these laws are forced upon us, and we have no power or strength in changing them because that is in the hands of those in power with agendas, who are more than satisfied for the existence of such laws and are making use of it: Nevertheless, all of this will not push me into submission, or into waiting for relief and appeasement.

I hereby declare that I do not acknowledge the legitimacy of my summons to investigate a matter like this, which is within the realm of my freedom to express my opinions. This freedom was stipulated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which Egypt has supposedly signed. Moreover, setting this declaration aside, and even if it did not exist, and even if Egypt did not sign it, human rights are very self-evident matters that do not require legislations or laws to regulate them or to define their essence.

UPDATE: (April 11, 2007)
An Italian translation of the article is now available here!