Emergency law and its effect on freedom of expression in the Egyptian opposition's newspapers

Abstract

This dissertation presents a study of the effects of the emergency law on freedom of expression in Egypt, and the importance of removing that law, because of its conflicts with international human rights treaties. This dissertation also includes an explanation of the emergency law's huge negative effect on freedom of expression of the media, the Opposition's newspapers and on writers and journalists. It also recommends that the Egyptian constitution and laws that respect international human rights treaties and public freedom of expression be cleared of the articles that permit the approval of any exceptional laws. The dissertation examines some cases regarding newspapers and journalists, who have been arrested and tried under the reign of the emergency law. It also points out what international treaties state regarding freedom of expression and emergency law. In order to keep the dissertation to a manageable length, I decided not to address certain topics closely related to freedom of expression. These include the right to freedom of religion, correspondence, and trade union activity.