Latest news with #Egyptian-British
Roya News
14-07-2025
- Health
- Roya News
Mother of jailed Egyptian-British activist ends 10-month hunger strike
Egyptian academic Laila Soueif has ended a 10-month hunger strike protesting the ongoing imprisonment of her son, activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, her family said on Monday. Soueif, 69, began the strike in September 2024 when Abdel Fattah, an Egyptian-British dual national, was due to be freed after serving five years in prison for "spreading false news" but was never released. Her daughter, Mona Seif, said Soueif was now in hospital beginning a medically supervised process to reintroduce her to nutrition. "Yesterday, my mother told me she decided to end the hunger strike and will start the necessary medical procedures with the doctors," Seif wrote on social media. "We are not out of danger yet," she said, adding doctors had warned of the risks of ending prolonged fasting, including a potentially life-threatening condition known as refeeding syndrome. Soueif consumed sugar cubes on Sunday to symbolically mark the end of the strike, according to her other daughter, Sanaa Seif. Abdel Fattah, 43, was a prominent figure in Egypt's 2011 uprising and has spent most of the past decade behind bars under successive governments. He was most recently arrested in 2019 and sentenced to five years after posting a Facebook post about police brutality. Abdel Fattah began a partial hunger strike in March in solidarity with his mother after she was hospitalised with dangerously low blood sugar. He is currently consuming only herbal tea, black coffee and rehydration salts. His sister Sanaa said last month that he had lost 29 percent of his body weight during the hunger strike. In May, a United Nations panel of experts described his detention as arbitrary and called for his immediate release. Despite diplomatic efforts, including conversations between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, his case remains unresolved. Since 2022, Sisi's administration has released hundreds of detainees and pardoned several high-profile dissidents, including Abdel-Fattah's lawyer, but the activist himself has been repeatedly excluded.
Egypt Independent
12-07-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Planning min. lauds significant progress in Egypt-UK development coop.
Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat lauded the significant progress in development cooperation between Egypt and the UK. Al-Mashat made the remarks during her participation in a farewell ceremony for British Ambassador in Cairo Gareth Bayley, whose tenure in Egypt ended. The ceremony was attended by a large number of public figures, as well as representatives of the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA). The minister highlighted the ambassador's effective role since 2021 in advancing Egyptian-British relations and enhancing partnerships between the two countries' public and private sectors. Regarding the remarkable boom in Egyptian-British development cooperation, Mashat said the UK has backed the launch of the Nexus of Water, Food and Energy (NWFE) Program and the launch of the Hub for Advisory, Finance and Investment for Enterprises (Hafiz) platform, which serves as a new financial and technical support platform for the private sector. The minister added that the UK contributed to diversifying innovative funding sources for the public and private sectors in Egypt, strengthening financing mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises, in addition to supporting startups in climate action. On his part, the British diplomat commended the strong and historical ties between Egypt and the UK, both at the governmental level and within the private sectors of both nations. He shed light on the projects supported by the UK in Egypt, including the 'NWFE' program, which acts as a tool for mobilizing climate investment and advancing the country's green transition efforts.
See - Sada Elbalad
11-07-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Al Mashat Attends Farewell Ceremony for British Amb. in Cairo
Taarek Refaat Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development participated in a farewell reception for British Ambassador Gareth Bayley, organized by the Egyptian-British Business Association. The event, held to mark the end of Ambassador Bayley's tenure in Egypt, was attended by prominent public figures and members of the Egyptian and British business communities. In her speech, Al-Mashat praised Ambassador Bayley's pivotal role in strengthening Egyptian-British economic relations since his arrival in 2021. She highlighted the Ambassador's efforts in fostering partnerships between the private sectors of both nations, notably through cooperation with the British International Investment (BII) and the fruitful bilateral collaboration between the governments of Egypt and the United Kingdom. Al-Mashat also reflected on the continued progress in Egyptian-British development cooperation, emphasizing the United Kingdom's support for the launch of Egypt's "Novee" National Platform. Additionally, the UK has contributed to the "Hafiz" platform, which provides both financial and technical support to Egypt's private sector. These efforts align with the two nations' joint goals of diversifying innovative financing sources for both public and private sectors, as well as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and climate-focused startups. The Minister highlighted that the UK's commitment to Egypt's green transformation has been reflected in its support for climate-related financing mechanisms, such as the Climate Finance Acceleration Program, developed in collaboration with both the government and the private sector. In his farewell address, Ambassador Bayley expressed his sincere gratitude to the Egyptian government and people for the warm hospitality he received during his tenure. He acknowledged the longstanding and historical relationship between Egypt and the UK, underscoring the depth of cooperation between the two nations, both at the governmental and private sector levels. Bayley also pointed to several UK-supported projects in Egypt, such as the "Novee" National Platform, which plays a crucial role in attracting climate investments and advancing Egypt's green transformation agenda. He also emphasized the UK's contributions to energy and food security through various programs, including its role in the food sector within the Novee framework, through the International Partnership for Integration. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language
Kuwait Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Britain considers envoy for Britons held abroad
Cases like Alaa Fattah, Jimmy Lai spotlight plight of Britons held in jails overseas LONDON: Britain is preparing to emulate the United States by appointing an envoy tasked with freeing citizens arbitrarily detained abroad, as it faces calls to do more to bring them home. High-profile cases like jailed Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel Fattah and imprisoned Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai have spotlighted the plight of Britons held in jails overseas. The UK foreign ministry insists it continues to press such cases with governments, but relatives of detainees and human rights organizations complain of a lack of urgency and transparency. 'The government is committed to strengthening support for British nationals, including through the appointment of a new envoy,' a Foreign Office spokesperson told AFP. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer has said an 'Envoy for Complex Consular Detentions' is expected to be appointed 'before the summer'. The government has not specified the terms of the role but it could be similar to America's Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, a position created in 2015. Unlike the United States though, Britain does not take part in prisoner exchanges. Professor Carla Ferstman, an expert on arbitrary detentions at the Human Rights Centre at Essex Law School, said appointing someone would be the 'clearest thing that the UK can do that it hasn't done yet'. 'When you have someone at the highest level they command a certain level of respect,' she told AFP. Abdel Fattah was arrested in September 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of 'spreading false news' after sharing a Facebook post about police brutality. He is still imprisoned despite a hunger strike by his mother and Britain's foreign ministry saying it is pushing for his release 'at the highest levels of the Egyptian government'. His sister Sanaa Seif said an envoy would mean 'a proper continued focus on' freeing detainees. 'It's also important to have a focal point that can help coordinate between different government bodies so that they all work in synchronization,' she told AFP. Seif believes the government should consider revising travel advice to Egypt too, a call also made by lawmakers who have suggested the government should sanction Egyptian officials as well. 'Is it not clear that words are no longer sufficient?' Conservative peer Guy Black asked in parliament's House of Lords recently. Ferstman said tightening travel guidance can be a powerful tool. 'It's a big deal because all of a sudden tourists can't get insurance and it's harder for business travel to happen. There's all kinds of implications,' she explained. Amnesty International recently called for the government to develop a 'clear strategy' to support arbitrarily detained Britons, including by demanding that UK officials attend trials. The Labour government pledged in its general election-winning manifesto last year that it would introduce 'a new right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations'. Amnesty also wants the government to call for a person's 'immediate release', including publicly when it is requested by the family. It said London took three years to publicly call for Lai to be freed, something his son Sebastian said 'sends the wrong message' to 'autocratic states'. 'The quicker we have the government speak out post-arrest, that's the window of opportunity to have people released,' Eilidh Macpherson, Amnesty's campaigns manager for individuals at risk told AFP. UK officials say the government can be wary of accusations it is interfering in another country's judicial system. 'Sometimes it may need to be quiet about what it's doing, but this shouldn't come at the expense of transparency,' said Ferstman. Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh blogger from Scotland, was arrested in India in November 2017 while there for his wedding on accusations of being part of a terror plot against right-wing Hindu leaders. He has not been convicted of a crime and in March was cleared in one of the nine charges against him. The foreign ministry spokesperson said Foreign Secretary David Lammy 'continues to raise concerns' about the detention with India's government 'at every appropriate opportunity'. But his brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal complains of being kept in the dark. 'We don't know what's actually being said,' he told AFP. Gurpreet said an envoy would be a 'good thing' but until the position is in place, 'We won't know exactly what it means.' — AFP
Bangkok Post
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
UK considers envoy for Britons held abroad
LONDON - Britain is preparing to emulate the United States by appointing an envoy tasked with freeing citizens arbitrarily detained abroad, as it faces calls to do more to bring them home. High-profile cases like jailed Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel Fattah and imprisoned Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai have spotlighted the plight of Britons held in jails overseas. The UK foreign ministry insists it continues to press such cases with governments, but relatives of detainees and human rights organisations complain of a lack of urgency and transparency. "The government is committed to strengthening support for British nationals, including through the appointment of a new envoy," a Foreign Office spokesperson told AFP. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer has said an "Envoy for Complex Consular Detentions" is expected to be appointed "before the summer". The government has not specified the terms of the role but it could be similar to America's Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, a position created in 2015. Unlike the United States though, Britain does not take part in prisoner exchanges. Professor Carla Ferstman, an expert on arbitrary detentions at the Human Rights Centre at Essex Law School, said appointing someone would be the "clearest thing that the UK can do that it hasn't done yet". "When you have someone at the highest level they command a certain level of respect," she told AFP. Abdel Fattah was arrested in September 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of "spreading false news" after sharing a Facebook post about police brutality. He is still imprisoned despite a hunger strike by his mother and Britain's foreign ministry saying it is pushing for his release "at the highest levels of the Egyptian government". His sister Sanaa Seif said an envoy would mean "a proper continued focus on" freeing detainees. - 'Clear strategy' - "It's also important to have a focal point that can help coordinate between different government bodies so that they all work in synchronisation," she told AFP. Seif believes the government should consider revising travel advice to Egypt too, a call also made by lawmakers who have suggested the government should sanction Egyptian officials as well. "Is it not clear that words are no longer sufficient?" Conservative peer Guy Black asked in parliament's House of Lords recently. Ferstman said tightening travel guidance can be a powerful tool. "It's a big deal because all of a sudden tourists can't get insurance and it's harder for business travel to happen. There's all kinds of implications," she explained. Amnesty International recently called for the government to develop a "clear strategy" to support arbitrarily detained Britons, including by demanding that UK officials attend trials. The Labour government pledged in its general election-winning manifesto last year that it would introduce "a new right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations". Amnesty also wants the government to call for a person's "immediate release", including publicly when it is requested by the family. It said London took three years to publicly call for Lai to be freed, something his son Sebastian said "sends the wrong message" to "autocratic states". "The quicker we have the government speak out post-arrest, that's the window of opportunity to have people released," Eilidh Macpherson, Amnesty's campaigns manager for individuals at risk told AFP. UK officials say the government can be wary of accusations it is interfering in another country's judicial system. "Sometimes it may need to be quiet about what it's doing, but this shouldn't come at the expense of transparency," said Ferstman. Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh blogger from Scotland, was arrested in India in November 2017 while there for his wedding on accusations of being part of a terror plot against right-wing Hindu leaders. He has not been convicted of a crime and in March was cleared in one of the nine charges against him. The foreign ministry spokesperson said Foreign Secretary David Lammy "continues to raise concerns" about the detention with India's government "at every appropriate opportunity". But his brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal complains of being kept in the dark. "We don't know what's actually being said," he told AFP.
