This letter was originally sent on February 18, 2021 but made public in March 2021.
The Honorable Joey Hood
Acting Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
U.S. Department of State
February 18, 2021
Re: Concern for arbitrarily detained Egyptian journalist Solafa Magdy
Dear Acting Assistant Secretary Hood,
Eight international organizations urgently call for the United States to demand the immediate release of Solafa Magdy, an arbitrarily detained Egyptian journalist, who has been subjected to ill-treatment in prison and is in immediate need of medical attention.
Magdy received the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage in Journalism Award last year for her brave reporting and dedication to press freedom in Egypt and she was awarded the Honorary Citizenship of the City of Paris in December 2020. She was arrested along with her husband, journalist Hossam al-Sayyad, and their friend Mohamed Salah in November of 2019, accused of terrorism related charges and spreading “fake news,” charges they deny and that are unfounded. They have been in prison since their arrest, held without a trial, solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression.
Magdy’s lawyers submitted a report to Egyptian authorities on January 30 documenting abuses against her including nighttime interrogations while blindfolded and threats against her family in prison. In rare visits with her family, Magdy has appeared weak and unable to walk unassisted. She is experiencing uterine bleeding and has a history of tumors for which she had surgery in 2017. Magdy’s lawyers report that when she refused to be an informant, she was threatened with never seeing her husband or seven-year old son again.
The case of Magdy and her husband has already received considerable international attention. However, this has not resulted in a change in their situation. Given the unique relationship between the United States and Egypt, we believe in the potential impact of a direct intervention of the U.S. government and the leverage that aid and other negotiations afford.
We urge you, as Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, to raise Magdy, Hossam and Salah’s case within the State Department and to engage directly with the Egyptian government to call for their immediate and unconditional release. Pending their release, they would be provided with adequate medical care, and regular access to her families and lawyers and for an investigation into the ill-treatment of Solafa Magdy.
Please let us know how we may help this action on their behalf before it is too late.
Sincerely,