British Activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah Freed After Nearly 12 Years

British pro-democracy activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah was released from Wadi Natrun Prison early on March 12, 2024, following a presidential pardon. His release marks the end of nearly 12 years of imprisonment, a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for human rights in Egypt.

The pardon was granted after the National Council for Human Rights appealed on behalf of Abd El-Fattah and five other prisoners, urging President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to consider their cases on health and humanitarian grounds. Abd El-Fattah’s campaign confirmed his release, stating that he has returned to his home in Cairo. His sister, Mona Seif, celebrated the news on the social media platform X, posting a heartfelt image of her brother with their mother, Laila Soueif, and sister, Sanaa Seif.

Abd El-Fattah’s journey began in 2014 when he was arrested for participating in an unauthorized protest and allegedly assaulting a police officer. He was briefly released in 2019 but was detained again later that year during a crackdown following rare anti-government protests. His case has become emblematic of the broader issues surrounding democracy and human rights in Egypt, especially following his prominent role in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that led to the ousting of former president Hosni Mubarak.

During his time in prison, Abd El-Fattah’s family campaigned vigorously for his release, appealing to the UK government for assistance. In 2021, he obtained British citizenship through his mother. His mother’s hunger strike in Britain last year drew significant attention to his plight, although it took a toll on her health.

Amidst the celebration of Abd El-Fattah’s release, Amr Magdi, Senior Middle East and North Africa Researcher at Human Rights Watch, highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by thousands of other political prisoners in Egypt. He expressed hope that Abd El-Fattah’s release would prompt the government to reconsider the wrongful detention of peaceful critics.

The pardon followed President El-Sisi’s directive for a review of a petition from an independent rights group that included seven names, though the status of one individual remains unclear. The National Council for Human Rights welcomed the decision, describing it as a step toward reinforcing justice and fundamental rights.

While it is uncertain if Abd El-Fattah will leave Egypt, his lawyer, Khaled Ali, indicated that his client wishes to retain his Egyptian citizenship and live in the country. Ali also noted that a court order had removed Abd El-Fattah’s name from the government’s terrorism list, potentially allowing him to travel abroad in the future.

Abd El-Fattah’s hunger strike in 2022 during the UN climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh highlighted the dire human rights situation in Egypt. His plight drew attention from world leaders, including those from France, Germany, and the UK, who privately advocated for his release.

The circumstances surrounding this pardon differ from previous appeals, with the added emotional weight of his mother’s hunger strike contributing to the urgency of the situation. As the international community continues to watch, there are hopes that this development may signal a broader change regarding political detentions in Egypt.