Egypt clamps down on female cyber influencers: another stop on a long path of oppression

Photo source @PaulZinken for Dpa (Oct 2018)

What is happening in Egypt?

It has come to light that Egyptian authorities are following a regime of systematically punishing female social media influencers for posting content online.

In July, 5 women were sentenced to two years of prison and a fine equivalent to £14,600 pursuant to a ruling that their videos on popular social media platform 'Tik Tok' were running oppositional to the state's values.

Their crimes? Lip syncing, informing their audience of business opportunities, dancing.

Rothna Begum, working in senior women's rights at Human Rights Watch has criticised Egypt's approach as "discriminatory and directly violates their right to free expression."

Protected by various treaties under international law, the right to freedom of expression is subject to an exceptionally limited caveat, which enables states to restrict the right such as "for the protection of... morals."

However, can lip syncing and dancing really be justified as so extreme as to merit the status of an immoral practice?

In the western world, these branded 'offences' are regarded as common mundane activities which general society would not think twice about. Such videos released in the UK or America gain thousands of views, likes and comments daily, with many young people having created a career out of posting this type of content online.

While the majority understand these videos as an entertainment outlet in a digital age, the attitude is much less lighthearted in many parts of the Middle East.

How does Egypt treat localised and foreign media?

As of 2020, Reporters without Borders has ranked Egypt 166th in the world regarding its support for freedoms of press and expression. When one examines the evidence, Egypt's position in the table stands with good reason.

Freedom of expression, speech and press remain severely limited in Egypt. Since and prior to President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's rise to power in 2014, the state has adopted a complete authoritarian approach to journalists, media outlets and human rights activists. Many have been detained in prison or expelled from the state for spreading "fake news"

In December 2013, Egyptian news outlet Al Jazeera witnessed the 18 month imprisonment of two journalists named Mohamad Fahmy and Baher Mohamad. Crucially, the ground of 'fake news' and criticising the Egyptian government was deemed the basis for their arrest.

However, whilst the release of the two media employees in September 2015 brought relief to many, the preceding years indicated Egypt did in no way plan to relax its handling of the media.

In July 2018, the Egyptian government passed and ratified a Media Regulation bill which enables social media users to be monitored by the government's Supreme Council for the Administration of the Media.

Pursuant, this means that any online page holding a 5,000+ following count is subject to the country's media laws.

Which human rights are being violated?

Freedom of expression and press are arguably two of the most important rights in the 21st century. The two ensure accountability for government officials, communication on key global issues, provide a platform to promote creativity and co-operation among businesses online and act as a means for all to ensure their opinion may be heard without fear of consequence at the hands of their state.

Key legal notes

• Freedom of expression and the press

Article 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 19, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

1. Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.

2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.

3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:

(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others;

(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.

*Egypt signed the Covenant in August 1967, and it became legally binding for the state to uphold as of 14th April 1982*

• Freedom of Press- European Law

Article 11, EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

" 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.

2. The freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected."