Inside Story

Is Egypt becoming a republic of fear?

Opponents of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi say he is failing to improve human rights in the country.

Over the past five years, Egypt has seen revolution and counter-revolution, a brief spell of civilian rule, then return to military rule. 

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi led the military coup in 2013. Since then, rights groups say the liberties of Egyptians have been eroded in every way possible. 

The government has effectively banned protests. Thousands of civilians have been tried in military courts.

Hundreds have been sentenced to death following trials which have been criticised as unfair.

On Inside Story, we discuss the human rights situation in Egypt.

Presenter: Laura Kyle

Guests:

Ahmed Badawi – Senior researcher for the Centre for Middle Eastern and North African Politics at the Free University of Berlin.

Timothy Kaldas – Non-resident Fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.

Mohamed Khairat – Founder and Editor-in-Chief of news media organisation Egyptian Streets.