The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) released a report Saturday documenting violations on Egyptian university campuses.
The report said that police stormed the dormitories in both Zagazig University and the Al-Azhar University branch in Sharqeya, arresting at least three students.
The association added that four students from Cairo University were arrested by security forces after they organised a photo exhibition commemorating the anniversary of the cabinet clashes. In Ain Shams University, two students were also detained after participating in a demonstration organised by civil revolutionary movements, including the Revolutionary Socialists movement, the 6 April Youth Movement, and students from Misr Al-Qawia party.
As for violations committed against students by the universities’ administrations, in Al-Azhar University, 71 students were expelled last Wednesday for allegedly participating in protests and “rioting on campus”.
In Al-Azhar University’s branch in Kafr Al-Sheikh, eight female students were referred to investigation, while another 51 were refereed to disciplinary committees on charges of distributing anti-government flyers.
Since the start of the academic year on 11 October, over 300 students have been arrested, while tens have either been expelled by universities or referred to investigation, according to AFTE.
AFTE added that the military prosecution renewed the detention of two students in Menufiya University.
In a related development, Al-Marsad Student Observatory reported Thursday that two students in Alexandria have been referred to military courts on charges of violence.
Egyptian authorities have referred hundreds of civilians, including a number of students, to military courts following the President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s decree to expand the jurisdiction of military courts to include anyone who attacks the state’s “vital” facilities.
On Thursday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that at least 820 civilians have been referred to military prosecutors in the past six weeks.
“Curtailing the use of military courts to try civilians was one of the few tangible gains of the 2011 revolution, but that’s out the window now,” Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW’s Middle East and North Africa director said. “Al-Sisi’s administration is methodically reversing the reforms achieved in 2011, while the United States and other governments resume arming the government as if none of it matters.”
