The Committee to Protect Journalists and 14 other rights groups have raised serious concerns about human rights in Egypt. They sent a joint letter to the European Union on Monday. The letter warns about weak progress on democracy, rule of law, and press freedom. It says the situation is still very worrying. The groups say reforms are not moving fast. They also say pressure must increase before ties grow stronger. The issue comes as EU Egypt relations continue to expand at a high level.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said EU financial support for Egypt has conditions. One condition is progress on human rights. The EU pledged five billion euros in aid after upgrading ties to a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership in March 2024. The rights groups say the situation looks positive on the surface. But they warn of deeper repression if action is not taken. They say the current approach could lead to instability. They urge the EU and member states to act with clear pressure.
It also details serious allegations of human rights violations in Egypt. The letter says there is systematic use of enforced disappearances and torture. It also mentions arbitrary detention in poor prison conditions. The groups say at least 18 journalists were imprisoned in 2025. Several human rights defenders and scholars were also detained. Egyptian commentator Ahmed Douma received a one year prison sentence earlier this month. He was punished for writing about prison conditions. Rights groups say no journalist should face jail for peaceful expression. The CPJ regional director Sara Qudah has also strongly criticized such cases.
The rights groups also raise concern about mass graves found in Sinai. They say these graves may contain evidence of extrajudicial killings. They warn that investigations have not been carried out properly. The groups say this shows a wider pattern of ignoring the rule of law. They add that due process rights are often denied. They also point to unfair trials and repeated charges against the same people.
They say the National Human Rights Strategy is not enough. They call it symbolic. The Committee to Protect Journalists and partners urge the EU to push Egypt for real reforms. They say groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also raised similar concerns. Amnesty says serious abuses are hidden under reform plans. Human Rights Watch reports widespread abusive detention practices. The groups want the EU to use its influence before a key meeting in June.
The upcoming EU Egypt Association Council meeting is scheduled for June 15. The meeting will review the current partnership between both sides. It will also assess progress on political and economic issues. The rights groups want the EU to raise human rights concerns strongly during the talks. They say accountability must be central to the discussion.
The EU and Egypt have a long relationship. Their Association Agreement started in 2004. It set rules for cooperation and funding. Rights groups say problems are not new. They say there are wider risks in the region. They warn that press freedom is under pressure across the Middle East and North Africa. They say journalists face growing threats in many countries.
The Committee to Protect Journalists says the situation needs urgent attention. It says funding and political ties should include clear human rights checks. The group says money without reform can make abuses worse. It calls for stronger monitoring tools inside EU policy. It also wants regular reviews of Egypt’s progress. The letter is supported by 14 other organizations working on human rights and media freedom. They include international groups that track arrests, prison conditions, and press safety. The groups say the goal is not to stop cooperation. Instead, they want cooperation with clear rules. They believe reform can help stability and trust. They warn that ignoring abuses could harm long term peace and development in the region.
The issue is expected to be discussed again during upcoming EU meetings with Egypt. Rights groups say they will continue to monitor the situation closely. They also say international attention is important to protect journalists and support basic freedoms in the country.
