Comment By UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson On Crackdown In Egypt And Libya Against Global March To Gaza Activists

23 June 2025

Comment by UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan:

We call on Egypt and Libya to ensure accountability for recent unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by security forces and those who appeared to be plainclothes agents against peaceful activists of the Global March to Gaza. The activists were expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and taking humanitarian assistance to the strip. We also call on the Egyptian Government and de facto authorities in eastern Libya to release immediately and unconditionally all those who may still be arbitrarily detained.

The reported use of unnecessary force against activists and their unlawful detention, mistreatment, and forcible deportation by Egypt and Libya constitute violations of their rights to liberty, security, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. We have also received worrying reports of sexual and gender-based violence against women participants.

We are also concerned that activists were attacked in Egypt by apparently plainclothes agents in the presence of uniformed law enforcement personnel who did not intervene.

Egypt, Libya and other relevant authorities must conduct prompt, independent and thorough investigations into these events. Egypt and Libya must respect and ensure freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.

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