Egyptian activists fear a return of stick once the climate conference is held from November 6 to 18 in Charm el-Cheikh, finished.
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Upstream of the twenty-seventh global climate conference, which it intends to make a political and diplomatic success, Egypt has sought to smooth its image. But criticisms persist: international human rights organizations denounce an “overwhelming” assessment in matters of rights violations, “obstacles” in the participation of Egyptian civil society and an additional international dubbing for little costs for the authorities.
In April, the power of President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, who governs Egypt with an iron fist, announced a national dialogue, before making liberation from political prisoners. This also responded to internal considerations: letting go of a little balla while the economic degradation raises serious social tensions.
But in the eyes of civil society, the relaxation is always long overdue. “The arrests continued and, in October, the flying checkpoints, with excavation of the phone, increased, explains Mohamed Lotfy, director of the Egyptian commission for rights and freedoms. Calls to demonstrate on November 11, at the time of COP, appeared on social networks, but the government wants everything to be under control in the street. “The demonstrations have been prohibited in Egypt since 2013. The Egyptian information site Mada Masr said, the 1 Sup> November, that at least 150 people stayed in detention after being arrested in different cities during security operations coinciding with calls to protest. 2> “Ultrasensible subject”
The reception of COP27 returned de facto to the African continent. For Egypt, “organizing such an event gives the image of a strong regime, supported by the international community, which can land as a defender of the climate, deciphers an Egyptian media source. The press grants a large place to the event for several months. We have to talk about it. And approach the subject from a positive angle: to talk about newly planted trees, not those which are cut … “
Journalists and members of Egyptian NGOs had to “apply” to participate in the conference, according to a “inexperienced process”, confides this same source. Environmental activists measure that their “subject is ultrasensible at the moment,” says one of them.
Charm el-Cheikh is a predilection place for national or international conferences, surrounded by reinforced security measures. “There is a logic that the COP takes place there. But it cuts the population of the capital of this summit: when important events take place in Cairo, it sees at least the preparations. In addition, the prices Hotels are unacceptable for many Egyptian NGOs and journalists, “summarizes the media source.
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