Question for written answer E-004619/2014 to the Commission (Vice-President / High Representative) Rule 117 Marc Tarabella (S&D)

Subject: VP/HR - Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt

Al Jazeera English staff Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed, along with five Egyptian students, stand accused of belonging to or assisting banned terrorist organisation the Muslim Brotherhood. Their trial resumed on 10 April 2014.

‘What the Egyptian authorities are doing is vindictive persecution of journalists for merely doing their jobs,’ said Amnesty International’s Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Middle East and North Africa Programme Deputy Director.

‘So far, the Prosecution has failed to produce any convincing evidence and the journalists appear to be pawns in the hands of the [Egyptian] authorities in their ongoing dispute with Qatar. Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed are prisoners of conscience who must be released immediately and unconditionally.’

The three men have been detained since 29 December 2013, when security forces arrested Mohamed Fahmy and Peter Greste at the Marriott Hotel in Cairo and Baher Mohamed at his home. The five Egyptian students were arrested two days later.

The authorities are also continuing a wider crackdown on dissent, targeting both the Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters as well as other opposition activists who are critical of the authorities.

1. Does the High Representative share the view that the Egyptian authorities’ continued detention of three Al Jazeera journalists charged with falsifying news and involvement with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood movement is vindictive persecution?

2. What is her response?

3. Does she intend to hold a meeting with the Egyptian authorities in an attempt to improve the situation?

1027158.EN PE 534.312