The continued detention of Egyptian novelist Peter Tawfik Kamal raises serious concerns over the use of criminal proceedings to penalize peaceful expression, personal beliefs, and literary creativity.

The case also highlights broader questions regarding the protection of freedom of thought, conscience, belief, and expression, as well as the safeguards required against arbitrary detention and the use of vague criminal provisions to restrict protected intellectual and artistic activity.

Background

On 17 September 2026, the Minya Criminal Court renewed Kamal’s pretrial detention for 15 days in Case No. 1184 of 2026, registered with the Mallawi Police Department as an administrative case.

Kamal has been detained since 14 April 2026, after responding to a summons from the National Security Agency in Mallawi. He reportedly was not brought before the Public Prosecution until 22 April, eight days after his detention began. Rights sources report that he was unable to communicate with his family or legal counsel during that period. His family subsequently submitted complaints to the Public Prosecutor, the Ministry of Interior, and the National Council for Human Rights.

An arrest report dated 22 April reportedly stated that Kamal had been apprehended in a public place during a security operation. The discrepancy between this account and the reported circumstances of his initial detention warrants an independent and transparent investigation.

Kamal is accused of “exploiting religion to promote extremist ideas with the intent of insulting the Abrahamic religions through the international information network.” The case reportedly relies on his personal writings, online views, the content of his novel Farewell, My Dear God, phone data, correspondence, conversations, photographs, and other digital files.

The information currently available regarding the case does not indicate that Kamal was accused of advocating violence or inciting discrimination, hostility, or hatred. The reliance on undisclosed security information, without clear details concerning the timing, context, or specific conduct alleged to constitute a criminal offence, calls into question the sufficiency and transparency of the evidentiary basis for the proceedings.

The circumstances additionally highlight the risks associated with using private communications and literary works as evidence in proceedings targeting peaceful intellectual and artistic expression.

According to his family, Kamal requires ongoing psychiatric care and regular medication. The authorities must ensure uninterrupted access to appropriate medical treatment and prescribed medication while he remains in custody.

Institutional Position

Freedom of thought, conscience, and belief protects the right to hold and develop personal convictions, including views that may challenge prevailing religious, social, or political norms. Freedom of expression likewise protects the communication of ideas through literary and artistic forms. Fiction, philosophy, criticism, satire, and other forms of creative expression cannot be subjected to criminal punishment merely because their content is controversial, unpopular, or offensive to some individuals.

The use of broadly framed offences concerning religion or extremist ideas raises particular concerns where such provisions are applied to peaceful intellectual or literary activity. Restrictions on expression must satisfy the requirements of legality, legitimate purpose, necessity, and proportionality and must not be used to suppress protected thought, belief, or artistic creativity.

The period between Kamal’s detention on 14 April and his appearance before the Public Prosecution on 22 April also requires scrutiny under international safeguards protecting against arbitrary detention and guaranteeing prompt access to legal counsel and judicial oversight. Any person deprived of liberty must be treated in accordance with applicable standards and have meaningful access to family contact, legal representation, and necessary medical care.

Applicable Legal Framework

Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) protects freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, while Article 19 protects freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. Article 17 protects individuals against arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy and correspondence. Article 9 prohibits arbitrary detention and guarantees safeguards against unlawful deprivation of liberty, while Article 14 establishes fair-trial guarantees. Egypt’s Constitution likewise protects freedom of belief under Article 64, freedom of thought and opinion under Article 65, and freedom of literary and artistic creativity under Article 67. Any restriction on these rights must be prescribed by law and meet the requirements of legitimate purpose, necessity, and proportionality.

Demands Aligned with International Human Rights Principles

Women Journalists Without Chains
Geneva, Switzerland — September 24, 2026