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EOHR demands re-issuance of al-Wafd , Journalists rights upkeep
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30/1/2006
The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) expresses its concerns regarding measures to ban al-Wafd three days in a row. The ban flagrantly violates freedoms of press, opinion, and expression which freedoms are guaranteed by the Egyptian Constitution and international covenants concerned with human rights issues.
EOHR calls upon the Press High Council (PHC) to decide immediately on al-Wafd's right for re-issuance, regardless of existing conflicts over al-Wafd Party leadership.
EOHR has followed up on latest developments within al-Wafd. The developments resulted in Dr. Noaman Gomaa's request to the Public Prosecutor to be enabled to enter to al-Wafd headquarters.
Right upon PP's decision Dr. Noaman asked al-Ahram Press and PHC to stop issuing al-Wafd-which came after a decision by Dr. Noaman to fire Mr. Abbass al-Tarabily, al-Wafd editor-in-chief, and Mr. Magdy Sarhan, Managing Director. In response, al-Wafd journalists organized a sit-in protesting against such decisions that banned the paper from being issued on Friday and Saturday.
In this context, EOHR calls upon all state concerned parties to take appropriate legal measures that will guarantee material and ethical rights of journalists. In addition, EOHR appeals to Dr. Gomaa to reconsider his decision regarding firing 13 journalists who organized a peaceful sit-in at Wafd. A decision that violates the Egyptian Constitution and international covenants concerned with human rights issues guaranteeing rights to free opinion and expression.
Moreover, EOHR urges warring factions within al-Wafd Party to enforce the party's internal regulations and to apply for the general assembly in order to bridge differences between party leaders.
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