The release of Patrick Zaki was some rare good human rights news from Egypt.
After being sentenced to three years in jail, he was then pardoned the next day by President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi, and was able to return to Italy.
Patrick had been hanging in legal limbo since 2020, when he was first arrested, and subsequently charged with “disseminating false news” and “inciting to protest”.
His release was warmly welcomed by human rights defenders and lead to questions as to whether we could see more releases and presidential pardons, particularly as the work of the National Dialogue builds up.
The National Dialogue was first announced by the president last year, but was then delayed, only starting work this year.
It has been tasked with discussing political, economic, and social issues in Egypt. Some opposition members in Egypt are hoping that it could serve as platform to steer the country back to democracy. Others are more skeptical.
This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the case of Patrick Zaki and why he was arrested, the state of human rights in Egypt, and the National Dialogue and whether it will be able to make an impact.
Joining us to discuss human rights in Egypt is Dr. Aida Seif el-Dawla, a retired professor of psychiatry, and one of four founders of the El Nadim Center for the Psychological Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture, an Egyptian independent NGO, founded in 1993.
And to help us understand the National Dialogue, we speak with Mirette Mabrouk, a senior fellow and the Director of the Egypt and Horn of Africa programme at the Middle East Institute.
Sign up to our newsletter here.
This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge.
Theme music by Omar al-Fil.
Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.
To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The New Arab Weekly - May 30th, 2024
The New Arab Weekly - May 23rd, 2024
The New Arab Weekly - May 16th, 2024
Iran and Israel Step Out of the Shadow War: Rising tensions threaten to spark regional war
A Turkey of an Election for Erdogan: AKP losses, CHP wins, and İmamoğlu's rising star
A Problem with (the Palestinian) Authority: The PA and Mahmoud Abbas in the wake of Gaza
Poor Reviews for Theatrical Elections: Iran’s low turnout for elections and Khamenei’s successor
The New Arab Weekly - March 14th, 2024
Special Announcement
Making the Gaza Crisis Even Worse: The suspension of UNRWA funding and the humanitarian catastrophe
Provisionally Stopping Genocide: The ICJ measures for Gaza and the response by Israel and its allies
Protesting in a Time of War: Civil rights in Israel, the Supreme Court, and Netanyahu
Pirating for Palestine: Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the US/UK response
Violence Spreading from Gaza and Hopes at The Hague: The risks of a regional war and genocide calls at the ICJ
2023 in Review Part 2: The good, the bad, and the horror of Gaza
2023 in Review Part 1: The good, the bad, and the horror of Gaza
Two Months Later : Israel's war in Gaza and Netanyahu's political prospects
Barely Catching Breath: Inside Gaza’s short pause and the deal for hostages
Trouble with the 51st State: US policy on Gaza and its relationship with Israel
Fear Spreads from Gaza to the West Bank: Israel expands its crackdown on Palestinians as settler attacks multiply
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free