For Immediate Release

Cairo- 13 February, 2005-
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information denounced today the decision issued by the Egyptian Supreme Council of the Press (SCP) to block al-Ghad Party's newspaper named (al-Ghad). The decision that has no legal basis seems to be a result of a political disagreement, as well as maintenance of the council's policy to smear the press freedom and the freedom of expression.

 The suspension decision, which was issued by the SCP just 48 hours before the first issue of the newspaper was to appear, was taken due to a request submitted by the party's trustee, who is not entitled to postpone the newspaper publication. Though the request was seized, and the party's secretary general, the only one, according to the party's bylaws, who is authorized to postpone the publication, has affirmed that the party decided to publish the newspaper, the SCP did not rescind the decision.

 (Al-Ghad) newspaper has joined it sister newspapers that were suspended by the SCP, (Al-Sha'ab) and (Adostour), an action that asserts the council's role to annihilate press freedom and freedom of expression and to violate the laws.

 "The suspension decision infringes articles 208 and 209 of the Egyptian constitutions. This council, which is controlled by the government, has become a tool in the government's hands by which it takes revenge from any newspaper or any person dare to censure it, AlSha'ab's and Adoustour's suspension as well as the harassments against Al-Araby newspaper are telling proofs of that" said Gamal Eid, HRinfo's executive director.

"They did not only disrepute Al-Ghad party's right to publish its newspaper, but also disregard the Egyptian's right to free press. This council, controlled by a government, which in turn is controlled by the Ruling Party abuses us all" added Eid.

HRinfo believes that the main reason behind the arrest of Ayman Nour (Al-Ghad party's chairman) and the suspension of Al-Ghad newspaper is that he is one of the pro- reform and constitutional modification. The increasing clampdown against the pro- reform movement will make matters worse, as well as it will lessen the confidence amongst many sectors of the Egyptian people in the National Democratic Party government.

 HRinfo while calls upon the Egyptian government to respect laws and to end all the forms of abuse against parties and journalists, demands the immediate release of Dr. Ayman Nour and the allowance  of Al-Ghad, Al-Sha'ab and Adostour newspapers to be published.