Nasser al-Hawari, a rights activist, was detained in Egypt after criticizing militia abuses linked to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar on his television show. Amnesty International has called for his release, highlighting concerns for his welfare and lack of communication with his family. Al-Hawari is known for his advocacy against human rights violations in Libya, and his detention has raised alarm about retaliatory actions against critics of Haftar.
Amnesty International has urged Egyptian authorities to release Nasser al-Hawari, an Egyptian-Libyan rights activist. He was detained by police outside his Alexandria residence on February 9, 2024. This arrest coincided with al-Hawari’s television program discussing alleged prisoner abuses by militia groups affiliated with Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar, whom the Egyptian government has historically supported.
During the program, al-Hawari indicated he would disclose additional evidence of human rights violations during a future broadcast. Haftar is recognized as the de facto ruler of eastern Libya, and the Egyptian government is known to provide covert support to his military operations. Al-Hawari’s family remains unaware of his location, which has raised significant concerns about his treatment and welfare.
According to Mahmoud Shalaby of Amnesty International, al-Hawari’s family has not received any information regarding his detention and whereabouts, with no official arrest warrant issued. “Nasser al-Hawari’s distressed family have not heard from him since he was seized without explanation or an arrest warrant and subjected to enforced disappearance,” Shalaby stated. The situation is compounded by the brief detention of al-Hawari’s brother, who was warned against disclosing details regarding his sibling’s situation.
Nasser al-Hawari is the executive director of the rights organization Victims for Human Rights and has founded the Libyan Observatory for Human Rights, focusing on documenting cases of torture in Libya over the past decade. His previous criticisms of Haftar’s forces and subsequent flee to Tunisia in early 2024 were direct results of his activism. Since June 2024, he has resided in Egypt, where he continues to face persecution.
Amnesty International emphasizes that the Egyptian government’s affiliation with Khalifa Haftar cannot justify retaliatory actions taken against al-Hawari for his advocacy. “The close relationship between the Egyptian government and Khalifa Haftar should never justify retaliating against Nasser al-Hawari for exposing human rights violations committed by forces under Khalifa Haftar’s command,” Shalaby asserted.
In conclusion, Nasser al-Hawari’s detention raises serious concerns regarding freedom of expression and human rights in Egypt, particularly in relation to the government’s ties with Khalifa Haftar. Amnesty International’s call for transparency about al-Hawari’s whereabouts highlights the need for accountability and reflects the ongoing dangers faced by human rights defenders in the region. Immediate actions by the Egyptian authorities are necessary to uphold fundamental rights and protect activists.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
