The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) welcomes the decision made by Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak to pardon by presidential decree Ibrahim Essa, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Al Dustour, thereby revoking the sentence of 2 months imprisonment passed by the Misdemeanor Court on September 28, 2008.
However, the issue of a genuine environment to freedom of expression, regardless of political considerations, remains a concern. FIDH therefore recalls the necessity of ensuring that such liberties are safeguarded in the Egyptian legislation in conformity with international standards.
FIDH supports the statements made by the Egyptian Press Syndicate calling for a new chapter of dialogue between the government and journalists in order to review and abolish all criminal defamation laws and for their replacement as necessary with appropriate civil defamation laws.