Labelled a Security Threat for Speaking the Truth about Sexual Violence

Azza bravely speaks out for victims of torture, arbitrary detention, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. She co-founded the centre for Egyptian women's legal assistance and later Lawyers for Justice and Peace to give much-needed legal aid, support, and literacy lessons for women in poverty and survivors of abuse.

Because of their courageous and selfless work, Azza and other human rights defenders in Egypt have been labelled as spies and national security threats. They have been targeted with smear campaigns and government surveillance - and security forces and pro-government media constantly harass them. Many of them face up to life in prison, as a result of the politically motivated court case known as ‘Case 173’. Women human rights defenders in Egypt like Azza face a particularly heightened risk of attack because their activism is seen to threaten traditional power structures and gender roles.

Recently, Azza was arrested and interrogated. She now faces charges such as slandering Egypt’s image by claiming that women in the country are at risk of rape. She has been banned from travel, her assets have been frozen - and she could face time in prison.

Sign the petition calling on Egyptian authorities to drop all charges against Azza immediately and unconditionally, rescind the travel ban, and unfreeze her assets.