ForHum is among the signatories of an urgent statement concerning the ongoing detention of Egyptian cartoonist Ashraf Omar, published by Cartoonists Rights on July 22nd. Please find an extract from the statement below.
July 22nd, 2026 will mark the second anniversary of the unlawful pretrial detention of Egyptian political cartoonist Ashraf Omar, a contributor to the independent media outlet Al Manassa. On this occasion, our organizations, which have mobilized in his support, reiterate their call for his immediate release.
On November 15th, 2025 the State Security Prosecution referred the case to the Cairo Criminal Court, charging Ashraf Omar and eleven other co-defendants with “financing terrorism for the benefit of a terrorist group” and “participation in a terrorist group in pursuit of its objectives.” The trial, which was scheduled to begin before the Cairo Criminal Court first on May 10th and then on July 13th, 2026 has been postponed to October 12th, 2026.
Our organizations are alarmed by the length of time that has elapsed since Ashraf Omar was abducted by Egyptian security forces from his home on July 22nd, 2024 and cannot accept that he remains arbitrarily detained for his cartoons, awaiting a trial that exploits anti-terrorism legislation for repressive purposes.
Ashraf Omar must be released immediately because “his detention is arbitrary and illegal. It violates Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law to protect freedom of opinion and expression—including artistic expression—cultural rights, liberty and security of the person, as well as the right to a fair trial and due process”, UN experts said.
Please click here for the full statement