Omar Hazek
Alexandria novelist's battle for free speech
Omar Hazek is a renowned poet from Alexandria and an honorary member of the Austrian chapter of PEN International. He is a human rights defender who actively campaigns for the promotion and protection of the freedoms of expression and assembly, and has been an outspoken critic of the use of torture by the Egyptian police, and of corruption in public institutions.
A significant crackdown on civil society in Egypt has been taking place since 2014. HRDs face an extremely challenging situation due to restrictions imposed on civil society and peaceful public gatherings and protests, travel bans, the arrest and sentencing of HRDs, bloggers, journalists and protesters, as well as an ongoing smear campaign against human rights groups.
