Hisham Kassem, a prominent political activist and vocal critic of Egyptian President Sisi, was recently barred from traveling to Bosnia to participate in a conference on democracy in the Arab world. Kassem, who was expected to speak at the event in Sarajevo, was stopped without any legal basis and forced to return home.
In a post on his Facebook page, Kassem claimed that the travel ban may have been initiated by state security forces based on false allegations against him. Despite facing previous legal troubles, including a prison sentence earlier this year, Kassem remains steadfast in his opposition to Sisi’s regime.
Egypt’s human rights violations, highlighted by the imprisonment of tens of thousands of political dissidents, have been widely criticized by international watchdogs. The country’s media freedom rank is among the lowest in the world, reflecting a pattern of stifling dissent.
As Egypt grapples with economic challenges exacerbated by costly development projects, critics like Kassem continue to speak out against Sisi’s government and its impact on the country’s stability and future. The power struggles and human rights abuses in Egypt exemplify a growing trend in the region that demands attention and action.