As the world prepares for the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) being organized by the United Nations in Egypt, we, the Nobel Laureates, urge you not to forget the thousands of political prisoners being held in Egyptian jails – with particular urgency in this case of Egyptian-British writer and philosopher Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who has been on hunger strike for six months and is in critical condition.
Alaa has spent the last ten years – a quarter of his life – in prison for the words he wrote. For essays, social media posts, speeches and ideas he came up with about democracy, law, technology or work – ideas that should be celebrated but cost him his freedom.
As Nobel laureates, we believe in the power of writing and its ability to change the world – and in the need to stand up for freedom of expression if we are to build a more sustainable and truly just future.
Against exploitation and coercion
We call on all government, environmental and corporate representatives to use every means at their disposal to help those most vulnerable and protect them not only from rising waters but from captivity and oblivion. A just and fair transition can not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but must aim to combat exploitation and coercion.
Also read: Article reserved for our subscribers Egypt: Alaa Abd El-Fattah sentenced to five years in prison for ‘spreading false information’
If world leaders meet in Egypt and leave without addressing the most vulnerable, what hope can they have? If COP27 ends up being a silent gathering, with no one risking speaking out for fear of upsetting the COP presidency, what future will be negotiated for the planet?
We fully understand what is at stake in the negotiations and how urgent they are. But dealing with authoritarianism does not avoid crises. We firmly believe that truly sustainable development requires more democracy, more transparency and more citizen participation.
Also read: Egypt: Hunger strike of pro-democracy doctor jailed since 2018
We ask that you use your speaking time to make the political prisoners’ names heard, to call for their release and to invite Egypt to turn the page and become a true partner in building a different future: a future that lives and lives respects human dignity.
Strong voice for democracy
You still have 48.99% of this article to read. The following is for subscribers only.