Wael Abbas
Wael Abbas Bilal | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 14, 1974 Egypt |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, blogger, human rights advocate |
| Known for | Blog Misr Digital (Egyptian Awareness), exposing police violence and mob harassment |
Wael Abbas Bilal (, ) (born 14 November 1974 in Egypt) is a globally acknowledged Egyptian journalist, blogger, and advocate for human rights,[1] renowned for his blog Misr Digital (Egyptian Awareness).[2] He has brought to light cases of mob harassment and police violence, playing a role in securing convictions for torture by police, despite enduring governmental intimidation.
Accounts terminated by YouTube, Yahoo, and Twitter
In September 2007, YouTube deactivated his account, deleting all footage that documented police violence, electoral fraud, and anti-government demonstrations, including roughly twelve videos showing brutality inside police stations.[3] Abbas voiced his astonishment over this action.[1]
Yahoo also suspended two of his email accounts, alleging that he was involved in spamming activities.[1]
Human rights organizations condemned YouTube for removing a significant outlet exposing abuses during Egypt’s suppression of independent journalists; between September and November 2007, twelve Egyptian journalists were imprisoned.[3] Nonetheless, some experts questioned whether the suspension was directly influenced by government pressure.[3]
YouTube eventually reinstated Abbas’s account but initially withheld his videos, citing a lack of sufficient context regarding the violent content.[4] Ultimately, 187 videos were restored.[5] Abbas confirmed that Yahoo reactivated his email accounts.[6]
YouTube explained that the suspension resulted from "context not apparent," recommending that Abbas upload material accompanied by adequate explanatory information.[7]
In December 2017, Twitter suspended his account citing unspecified violations of platform rules without clarifying whether the suspension was temporary or permanent.[8]
Detentions
On 15 January 2010, Abbas was detained alongside 29 other human rights defenders by Egyptian authorities in Nag Hammadi while they were offering condolences to victims of the Nag Hammadi massacre. The group was held and questioned by the Qena Governorate prosecutor; some faced accusations of participating in illegal demonstrations, chanting anti-government slogans, and causing public disorder. The detainees denied these allegations, stating they were arrested immediately upon arrival at the train station without engaging in any such activities.
On 23 May 2018, Abbas was apprehended at his residence and taken to state security offices where he was charged with "membership in a terrorist organization," "disseminating false information," and "abuse of social media platforms."
Media participation
Abbas appeared as a guest panelist on The Doha Debates broadcast on BBC World News from 13 to 14 November 2010. Taking a stance against the motion "This House would prefer money to free elections," Abbas argued in opposition and emerged victorious in the debate.
Awards and honors
- In 2008, Abbas chose not to accept an invitation to meet with then U.S. President George W. Bush.
- On 24 August 2007, he was honored with a journalism award from the International Center for Journalists.
- He was the recipient of the Hellman/Hammett Award from Human Rights Watch in 2008.
- CNN recognized him as the Middle East Person of the Year in 2007.
- In 2006, he was included in the BBC's list of Most Influential People.
- He earned the Egyptians Against Corruption Award for the years 2005/2006.
External links
- Blog maintained by Wael Abbas
- Wael Abbas' official Twitter account
- Wael Abbas' channel on YouTube
- Interview video featuring Wael Abbas
- Appearance of Wael Abbas on The Doha Debates podcast
- Wael Abbas featured on Fil Omq, Egyptian Television Channel 2
Links available in other languages without a dedicated Wikipedia article about Wael Abbas:
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedYoutubeHoax - ↑ Gorani, Hala. "Blogging and brutality". CNN Inside the Middle East Blog. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ↑ "Twitter Suspend The Egyptian Human Rights Defenders Accounts". April 6 Youth Movement. December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.