Hossam Bahgat, a leading figure in Egypt’s human rights movement and founder of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), continues to face systematic state harassment. Over the years, Bahgat has been targeted with legal challenges and punitive measures for his outspoken advocacy for civil liberties and democracy. Most recently, in January 2025, he was charged with “spreading false news” and “joining a terrorist organization,” allegations that human rights organizations have condemned as baseless attempts to stifle dissent. These charges came after Bahgat publicly criticized government policies, illustrating the Egyptian authorities’ ongoing efforts to silence human rights defenders.
Bahgat’s troubles with the law are part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Egypt, where authorities have frequently used vague and expansive anti-terrorism laws to target journalists, activists, and NGOs. In 2016, Bahgat was subjected to a travel ban and asset freezes in connection with Case 173, also known as the “foreign funding” case, which accused NGOs of operating without proper authorization. This case, emblematic of the Egyptian government’s campaign against civil society, remained unresolved for years, only concluding in 2024. The inclusion of terrorism-related charges in his latest case marks an escalation in the state’s tactics against Bahgat, aiming to undermine his credibility and restrict his activism further.
As Bahgat awaits trial, his case has become a rallying point for those advocating for the protection of human rights and civil society in Egypt. International human rights organizations have strongly criticized these actions, calling on Egypt to drop all charges against Bahgat and end the misuse of anti-terrorism laws to target peaceful activists. As Rights Defenders, we argue that labeling a human rights defender like Bahgat as a terrorist sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the principles of justice and democracy that Egypt claims to defend.
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