Alwaght- The Egyptian military-backed regime has come under sharp criticism for jailing activists and peaceful protestors opposed to the transfer of two of the country's Islands to the Saudi regime.
In a statement, Human Rights Watch said Egyptian authorities have “unjustly” jailed more than 150 protesters since May, including those participating in peaceful demonstrations.
“Egyptian authorities are using national security threats to crush dissent among Egypt’s youth," Nadim Houry, HRW's deputy Middle East and North Africa director, said.
The lawyer said the defendants are accused of belonging to an “outlawed group” - a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood - and of participating in storming and burning public property. In the years since the military coup against Morsi, Egyptian authorities have launched a relentless crackdown on dissent that has largely targeted Morsi’s supporters and members of his Muslim Brotherhood group.
The ongoing crackdown has seen hundreds killed and tens of thousands thrown behind bars. Those sentenced were rounded up in the days leading up to and on the actual day of two major protests, held on 15 April and 25 April, against the government's decision to cede two islands, Sanafir and Tiran, in the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia. The Egyptian Government's announcement came during King Salman of Saudi Arabia's visit to Cairo last month.
Since President Sisi came to power, Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf states have been pouring billions of dollars to the military-backed regime. Many Egyptians believe that Sisi has effectively 'sold' these islands to Saudi Arabia in return for shoring up his rule.
Many people protesting against the decision last week were jailed, and a promised parliamentary debate has been stalled, raising suspicions the government is trying to avoid fresh scrutiny of what critics have labelled "a sale".
Already Egyptian MPs have demanded all historic documents and maps supporting the transfer be made available before there is any vote on the deal.
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance party this week announced committees will be formed across Egypt’s governorates to gather signatures for a petition that will be presented to parliament and concerned authorities to demand that the state abolishes the maritime demarcation deal between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
The islands transfer to Saudi Arabia proved to be hugely controversial among intellectuals, public figures, social media users, and activists, as well as both anti-government and pro-government citizens.
