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Egypt’s Sinai Foundation for Human Rights and its director, Ahmed Salem, are facing threats and a smear campaign by Egyptian authorities and affiliated groups in response to their recent reporting on militarized North Sinai. Thirteen civil society organizations have condemned these actions.
Since mid-February 2024, government and pro-government figures have been spreading false information about the Sinai Foundation and Salem on various media platforms. Salem, a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom, received threats through intermediaries close to Egyptian authorities, warning him to stop his work or face repercussions.
The Sinai Foundation’s report on the hurried construction of a fortified zone on the Gaza-Israel border in North Sinai, aimed at accommodating refugees from Gaza due to ongoing conflict, has garnered international attention. This report has led to increased military presence in North Sinai, with patrols intimidating residents and workers to prevent information dissemination.
Pro-government entities have labeled Salem as a terrorist group affiliate and an agent of the Israeli Mossad without evidence, while the Sinai Tribal Union accused the Sinai Foundation of spreading falsehoods against the Egyptian state. Satellite images analyzed by Amnesty International confirm the construction activities in the border area.
In response to reports about building camps for Palestinians in Sinai, the Egyptian government denied these claims, dismissing them as misinformation. The government’s history of intimidating human rights activists and discrediting their work is well-documented, with campaigns targeting individuals even outside Egypt through harassment and arrests.
The Sinai Foundation’s crucial role in reporting abuses in North Sinai, where conflict between Egyptian forces and ISIS affiliates has led to human rights violations, highlights the importance of independent journalism in the region. The government’s crackdown on reporting and dissent has restricted access to information, perpetuating a culture of fear among residents.
Calls for the Egyptian government to end reprisals against critics abroad, allow independent reporting in Sinai, and investigate human rights abuses perpetrated during military operations have been echoed by international organizations, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the region.
As pressure mounts on human rights defenders like Ahmed Salem, the global community must stand in solidarity with those courageously advocating for justice and accountability in challenging environments.