The arbitrary detention of Egyptian journalist Ismail Iskandarani over recent Facebook posts, just two days after President Sisi pardoned six imprisoned activists, exposes Egypt’s harsh political reality: occasional gestures of leniency masks ongoing repression. Iskandarani was accused of “spreading false news” and “inciting terrorist acts” even though under Human Rights law this is considered to constitute protected peaceful speech. This represents a broader pattern of intolerance towards independent journalism and online dissent, particularly it highlights the legal loopholes in Egypt’s cybercrime legislation, mirroring similar laws across the Gulf that continue to undermine freedom of expression and Speech.
Since taking office in 2014, President Sisi has transformed Egypt into one of the most repressive environments for journalism, with over 170 journalists imprisoned and over 500 news websites blocked in the past decade. This suppression of press freedom follows a wider regional trend across the Gulf, where governments continue to criminalize free speech. Saudi Arabia and the UAE rank 162nd and 164th out of 180, respectively, in the World Press Freedom Index. In Qatar, recent arrests of two online activists who peacefully criticized the government further underscore the region’s tightening grip on digital expression.
Throughout the MENA region, cybercrime legislation has emerged as a central instrument of digital repression, allowing authorities wide discretion to police online speech. Egypt’s Anti-Cybercrime Law provides authorities with a discretionary power to restrict access to any website deemed a threat to national security. As noted by AFTE, an Egyptian NGO, the term ‘national security’ is so broadly defined that it effectively covers anything related to the stability and security of the nation, the President’s affairs, and the work of its government-affiliated agencies. The law’s extensive scope permits the arbitrary prosecution of almost any political commentary, placing journalists covering government-related matters at constant risk of prosecution.
Egypt’s cybercrime framework exhibits key flaws that closely resemble those in the Gulf. In fact, according to a Chatham House report most GCC countries have adopted cybercrime laws whose content directly conflicts with international human rights law. Furthermore, the absence of procedural rules for cybercrime prosecutions means that electronic evidence is treated the same as physical evidence, creating a significant gap in the legal system and preventing the proper handling of digital data. These structural weaknesses grant authorities greater control over cybercrime investigations and enable the judiciary to interpret the laws in its favour, opening the door to potential violations of the right to a fair trial.
For instance, the UAE’s 2021 Combatting Rumours and Cybercrime Law further restricts the legality of peaceful criticism through its provisions. Article 22 criminalizes online sharing of any information or documents that “may harm the State’s interests”, without clearly defining what constitutes a threat to the State or specifying maximum sentences. This legal ambiguity creates the risk of disproportionate punishment, as in the case of human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor, sentenced to ten years of prison for his online activity.
Cybercrime legislation across the MENA and GCC region remains harsh and deeply problematic. Its vaguely defined provisions enable authorities to exercise broad discretion and impose arbitrary sentences, placing all peaceful dissenters at risk. Digital Rights 4 Gulf calls on governments across Egypt and the Gulf to stop weaponizing cybercrime laws against their own citizens. As the internet becomes the main platform for activism and public discourse, it is imperative that governments including Egypt and the GCC countries adopt clearer, more narrowly defined laws to ensure the protection of digital rights and freedom of expression.