I received the following statement:
Call for Solidarity with Howaida Taha
Wednesday 7 February 2007
9 a.m.
Heliopolis Court – Nozha
A court session has been scheduled for Ms. “Howaida Taha” from El Jazeera satellite channel at 9 a.m. at Heliopolis court (El Mahkama square).
Ms. Taha was arrested from Cairo airport when she was about to travel. State security prosecution interrogated her and kept her in custody for 2 days before releasing her on a bail of 10.000 Egyptian pounds. It is known that Ms. Taha was, before her arrest, preparing a number of programs and documentaries on torture in Egypt in general and in police stations in particular. In doing so she collected some of the torture incidents published on the internet as well as interviewed several organizations and individuals active against torture.
In defense of freedom of publication and expression as a basic human rights and in view of our belief in the role of the press and media in protecting human rights by exposing its violations, we call upon all human rights organizations and activists to express solidarity with Ms. Taha and attend the court sessions.
Signatories
Association for freedom of thought and belief
Arab network for human rights information
Egyptian association against torture
Nadim Center for rehabilitation of victims of violence
Hisham Mubarak Law Center