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A Present to Journalists in the Press Freedom World Day
Verdict of Imprisonment and a Fine against Howaida Taha Cairo, 2 May 2007 Human Rights Organizations refused the verdict issued by Al-Nozha Misdemeanor Court against Howaida Taha Program Editor in Al-Jazeera Channel of 6 Monthes imprisonment, a bail of 10 thousands and a for feiture of 20 thousands. Moreover, they confiscated the records and a laptop. The verdict is the government's present to the journalists in the press freedom world day. The prosecution took duration of three months suspecting Howaida Taha editor of a documentary film on torture in Egypt presenting the different visions about torture crimes including the testimonials of victims, human rights organizations' representatives, police officers and physicians. In addition, the film represents some acting scenes related to victims' testimonials. The film screened in Al-Jazeera Channel on two parts in the last two weeks and became a documentary testimonial for the security apparatus violations against citizens. In a declaration by Gamal Eid Executive Director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information "We are not surprised of issuing the verdict against Howaida Taha however we expected it, but we are angry because it confirms the government's insist on hostility with freedom of the press and media in Egypt". The sentence issued was according to Article 80, Clause 1 and Article 178 repeated, Clause 1 of Penal Code, which they belong to broadcasting false news defaming the country's reputation. However, it does not related by any means to Howaida Taha's case. The film screened true torture cases tried before courts, which means the documentaries are true. On the other hand, the country's defamation comes with practicing torture crimes not introducing them, which denies the second crime. In a declaration by Ahmed Seif El Islam Executive Director of Hisham Mubarak Law Center, "From the beginning of the case we faced abusive acts by the prosecution and the court. All our defense files refused and the contradictory testimonial presented by state security officers to the prosecution was enough to innocent the editor Taha. However, it is enough to know that freedom of expression is not welcomed in Egypt although we will proceed in defending it". Moreover, the records of the film confiscated by the police in Cairo Airport infiltrated to an Egyptian TV program and presented badly degrading work values to defame the reputation of Howaida Taha. On the other hand, Ahmed Helmy lawyer and Head of Horriya Center for Political Rights and Reinforcing Democracy presented an appeal to the prosecution asking about the infiltration of the film records, broadcasted in a TV program and violating Al-Jazeera Channel's intellectual property. On the other hand, the reporter of the TV program declared that he received the records from an anonymous source and broadcasted it. The signatories on this statement state that their mission of supporting the journalists and press will continue in an attempt to establish a free and fair press reinforcing the absent democratic climate situated in Egypt. Signatories
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