We are thrilled that Egyptian authorities have released six high-profile political prisoners —

  • Mahienour al-Massry, Lawyer
  • Mostafa al-Asar, Journalist
  • Moataz Wadnan, Journalist
  • Esraa Abdel Fattah, Journalist
  • Gamal al-Gammal, Journalist
  • Abdel Nasser Ismail, Party Leader

— from arbitrary detention on July 17 and 18. All six were prisoners of conscience, held in pretrial detention for nearly two years.

These releases come following months of determined and tireless advocacy on behalf of these men and women. We applaud our partners in civil society in and outside of Egypt who have tirelessly fought for their freedom. We also express our gratitude for the policymakers and politicians that raised their cases at every opportunity, particularly Mohamed Anwar El Sadat, American policymakers, and members of the US Senate and House of Representatives.

At the same time, we lament that others like them are being arrested, indicted, and face grave injustices, including many in the past week alone.

Lastly, while we celebrate the freedom and reunification of these brave men and women with their loved ones, we also emphasize that their release is not justice served. Their release is a welcomed step in the right direction that should be built on to release the remaining 65,000 political prisoners still languishing in prison unjustly. We celebrate today, and tomorrow we get back to work.