This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
September 24, 2019
Protests calling for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's ouster have led to a crackdown on dissent in Egypt, with the government arresting journalists and blocking news websites.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a New York-based press watchdog, reported that three Egyptian journalists were arrested for covering protests that followed a football match in Cairo on Friday night.
Several websites, including those of news outlets BBC and Al-Hurra television, were also disrupted, with users reporting difficulties accessing popular app Facebook Messenger.
"Egyptian authorities must release all journalists arrested for their protest coverage, unblock news websites and communication apps, and allow journalists to report freely and safely," CPJ said.
Human rights groups have condemned the government's actions, with Amnesty International saying security forces had "carried out sweeping arrests of protesters, rounded up journalists, human rights lawyers, activists and political figures in a bid to silence critics and deter further protests from taking place".
Over 600 people have been arrested, including several opposition leaders, activists, and family members detained from their homes.
