Nasser al-Hawari, an Egyptian-Libyan human rights activist, was detained in Egypt after criticizing Khalifa Haftar’s militia abuses on his TV program. Amnesty International has urged for his immediate release, highlighting concerns over enforced disappearance and familial intimidation. Al-Hawari’s work in documenting human rights issues in Libya and his criticisms of Haftar highlight the tension between activism and political power dynamics in the region.
Nasser al-Hawari, a prominent Egyptian-Libyan human rights activist, was apprehended by Egyptian authorities on February 9, following his critical remarks about alleged abuses committed by militias aligned with Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar on his television program. His discussions included promises to unveil more evidence of these human rights violations in future broadcasts, raising significant alarms about his safety and freedom.
Khalifa Haftar, who maintains control over eastern Libya, enjoys strong ties with the Egyptian government, which has extended covert military and logistic support to his faction. Al-Hawari’s detention came after he publicly denounced Haftar’s human rights abuses, further complicating an already tense relationship between human rights advocacy and political interests within the region.
Amnesty International has condemned his detention, demanding transparency regarding al-Hawari’s location and well-being. Reports indicate that his family has received no information about his situation since his arrest, leading to concerns of enforced disappearance. Additionally, police temporarily detained al-Hawari’s brother, intimidating him into silence regarding the incident.
Nasser al-Hawari, who fled Libya for Tunisia early in 2024 before settling in Egypt, previously directed the rights organization Victims for Human Rights and established the Libyan Observatory for Human Rights. This organization has diligently tracked cases of prisoner torture within Libya for many years. As a prominent critic of Haftar’s regime, al-Hawari’s activism had already forced him to flee previously.
Mahmoud Shalaby, an international researcher at Amnesty, emphasized that the Egyptian government’s close ties with Haftar must not serve as justification for retaliating against those exposing human rights violations. The case surfaces deeper concerns regarding freedom of expression and the protection of human rights defenders in the region.
Nasser al-Hawari’s detention in Egypt underscores the precarious position of human rights activists in politically sensitive environments, particularly when their criticisms confront powerful authorities. The lack of information surrounding his whereabouts raises serious alarms about his treatment and safety. There is an urgent need for Egyptian authorities to uphold human rights principles and protect activists who bravely advocate for justice and truth.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
