News from Civsy, based on generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data searchThe Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) has condemned the General Egyptian Book Organization’s (GEBO) decision to bar ElMaraya for Culture and Arts from participating in the 2025 Cairo International Book Fair without providing any explanation. This move underscores the ongoing censorship and security pressures targeting independent cultural institutions, violating the constitutional right to freedom of creativity and artistic expression.
ElMaraya reported that its account on the book fair’s website was abruptly closed, preventing it from securing a pavilion despite years of consistent participation. AFTE argues that this exclusion is politically motivated and part of a broader effort to silence independent publishers and cultural organizations.
In 2024, ElMaraya faced increased targeting, including raids on its offices, the confiscation of books and documents, and the detention of staff members. The pressure intensified after ElMaraya planned a seminar for opposition poet Ahmed Douma, which was later canceled under government coercion. The decision to exclude ElMaraya from the upcoming book fair is seen as another step in a systematic campaign to suppress voices critical of the government.
AFTE asserts that the ban on ElMaraya aligns with a broader pattern of political censorship in Egypt. Security agencies have increasingly viewed the publishing house as a threat due to its association with opposition figures. Authorities have justified their actions under the pretext of legal violations, such as alleged tax evasion and improper publishing documentation. However, critics argue that these accusations serve as a cover for politically driven suppression.
The exclusion of ElMaraya from the book fair is not an isolated incident but part of a wider strategy to control Egypt’s cultural landscape. Many publishers and writers who engage with politically sensitive topics have faced similar restrictions. The crackdown extends beyond publishing, affecting artists, musicians, and cultural institutions that challenge state narratives.
AFTE has called on GEBO to reverse the ban and urges Egyptian authorities to respect artistic freedoms. The ongoing restrictions on independent publishers not only violate Egypt’s constitutional protections but also contravene international conventions on freedom of expression. As the cultural space in Egypt continues to shrink under government pressure, voices like ElMaraya’s remain essential in the fight to preserve independent thought and artistic expression.
Sources:
https://afteegypt.org/en/advocacy-en/statements-en/2025/01/05/39310-afteegypt.htmlhttps://www.fidh.org/en/region/north-africa-middle-east/egypt/human-rights-organizations-condemn-the-targeting-of-elmaraya-forhttps://eipr.org/en/press/2024/08/human-rights-organizations-condemn-targeting-elmaraya-culture-and-arts-and-callhttps://afteegypt.org/en/research-en/2024/05/22/37349-afteegypt.htmlhttps://www.egyptindependent.com/cairo-book-fair-confiscates-book-by-mb-founder-banna/https://x.com/afteegypt/status/1876659774395126154 https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/18/457150/Books/BOOK-REVIEW-New-titles-at-the--Cairo-International.aspx
