human rights defender

Ezzat Ghonim

Organization affiliation

  • Egyptian Coordination for Rights and Freedoms

HRD's year of birth

1977

HRD's Gender

Man

Type of HRD

  • Lawyer

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

Current Status

In prison (sentenced)

HRD's bio and work

Ezzat Ghonim is an Egyptian human rights lawyer and activist who has dedicated his career to defending civil and political rights in Egypt. As a co-founder and director of the Egyptian Coordination for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF), Ezzat has been at the forefront of efforts to document and challenge human rights abuses in the country, particularly cases of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and torture. His advocacy has focused on providing legal assistance to victims of state repression and raising awareness of the deteriorating human rights situation in Egypt. Ezzat's work has made him a target for state authorities, leading to his arrest and detention on multiple occasions. Despite facing significant personal risk, Ezzat remains committed to his mission of defending human rights and holding those in power accountable for their actions. His courage and resilience have earned him recognition both within Egypt and internationally as a steadfast defender of human rights.

Detained since

Mar 1, 2018

Charge(s)

  • Terrorism

Sentence

The First Circuit of Terrorism Felonies, acting as the Emergency State Security Court based at Badr Criminal Court, under the presidency of Judge Mohamed Saied El Sherbiny, issued a verdict on 5 March 2023, in case number 1552/2018 State Security Supreme, commonly known in the media as the Egyptian Coordination for Rights and Freedoms case, sentencing him to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Africa: Northern Africa

Location of detention - City/Town

Ramadan City

Location of detention - Facility

10th of Ramadan City - The10th of Ramadan Rehabilitation and Correctional Complex

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