H. E. Muhammad Hosni Mubarak
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Office of the President
Oruba Palace
Heliopolis, Cairo
Egypt

Vienna, 29 May 1995

Your Excellency,

The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors and media executives from newspapers, magazines, broadcasting organisations and news agencies in 85 countries, is deeply concerned about the passing of a controversial law that is widely regarded as a serious threat to press freedom in Egypt.

We are informed that on Saturday, 27 May 1995, Egypt’s parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill setting prison terms and fines to punish journalists spreading libel and misinformation.

The bill, which broadens the scope of the existing 1937 libel law, calls for at least five years in prison and a maximum fine of 10,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately US$ 2,900) for publishing information deemed by the authorities to be “false” or “aggravating.” The amendments also allow for the detention of journalists who defame or libel any public official or institution.

IPI considers this law, which is reportedly so vague as to include almost anything, to be a move by your government to limit the critical voice of the country’s opposition press. We therefore strongly urge you not to approve the law and to guarantee that all possible steps are taken to ensure freedom of the press in Egypt.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz
Director