FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN EGYPT

Motion Text

That this House supports the campaign of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate (EJS) for press freedom in Egypt; notes that Egyptian journalists can be imprisoned for violating public morality, defamation and for insults; further notes that the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression has stated that the imposition of prison sentences for peaceful expression of opinion constitute a serious violation of human rights; welcomes the international solidarity shown by the EJS's sister union in the UK, the National Union of Journalists, in highlighting their campaign; and calls upon the Government to use what means it can to press the Egyptian government to honour its commitment to adopt laws that guarantee freedom of the press.