Alaa Abd El Fattah, Egyptian-British activist, blogger, and software developer, and a central figure in Egypt’s technology and political activism, should have been released from prison on September 29, 2024. He officially completed his five-year term — a prejudiced and unfair sentence handed down for daring to speak up against an oppressive regime — yet, Egyptian authorities continue to detain Alaa unlawfully.

Alaa’s case has been raised repeatedly to authorities in UK and Egypt, including at Egypt’s recent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on January 28, 2025. Most recently, Hamish Falconer, UK Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, acknowledged and responded to civil society’s joint letter emphasizing the urgent need for his UK government to intervene. While we welcome this response, it must now be translated into concrete action given the grave situation facing both Alaa and his mother, who has been on a hunger strike since September 30, 2024, fighting tirelessly for her son’s freedom.

A global voice during the Arab uprisings of the early 2010s, Alaa has been persistently persecuted by Egyptian authorities attempting to silence him through unlawful detention for most of the last decade.

Alaa’s continued imprisonment is a stark reminder of Egypt’s ongoing repression of activists and dissidents. Alaa, a writer, software developer, and human rights advocate, has been a key voice for democracy in Egypt for over two decades. Since 2014, he has spent almost every day behind bars for daring to speak up and stand up for human rights.

Olivia Colman, Carey Mulligan, Mark Ruffalo, Emily Watson, Rebecca Hall, Morgan Spector, Richard Ratcliffe, and more share a powerful reading from Alaa’s “Half an Hour with Khaled.”

We cannot allow this injustice to continue.

Alaa has been tortured, subjected to inhumane treatment, and denied his rights as a British citizen, including consular visits. His health deteriorated during a seven-month hunger strike in 2022, when he came dangerously close to death, protesting the Egyptian government’s refusal to grant him his basic rights.

September 29 was not just another date — it marked the full length of his sentence, yet his freedom remains uncertain. That’s why we must act now!

What’s at stake?

Alaa’s family, who have fought for his freedom for years, fear that Egyptian authorities have no intention of releasing him, leaving his fate unknown, and his sentence indefinite. Over an excruciating decade-and-a-half, Alaa has been separated from his son Khaled, most of the boy’s life. It’s time to reunite father and son. It’s time to bring Alaa home.

Why now?

The new British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, was a strong advocate for Alaa before taking office. He now has the power — and responsibility — to secure Alaa’s immediate release. Lammy must honor his commitments and ensure that Egypt releases Alaa.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

◈ Spread Alaa’s message ◈

Despite attempts by Egyptian authorities to silence Alaa, we can ensure his message resonates far and wide. Support this effort by contacting your MP and urging them to press Foreign Secretary David Lammy to take action. Alaa’s book, “You Have Not Yet Been Defeated,” is more than just a book—it’s a powerful testament to resilience and hope. Buy your copy today, share the virtual book reading, and join the conversation on social media using #FreeAlaa to help spread Alaa’s vision.

ORDER ALAA’S BOOK

WATCH THE VIRTUAL READING

◈ Demand Alaa’s immediate release ◈

Share Alaa’s story on social media using the hashtag #FreeAlaa. Tag David Lammy and other UK officials to demand immediate action.

POST TO #FREEALAA

STAY INFORMED

Sign up for Access Now emails to stay up-to-date with Alaa’s case and for more opportunities to take action in defense of digital rights around the world.

Your info is secure with us.

ALAA’S STORY

Alaa has always been a vocal advocate for free speech. In 2006, he was first jailed for taking part in a peaceful protest. This targeting continued for years to come, and a few months after the January 25, 2011 revolution, Alaa locked up and awaiting military trial, forced to miss the birth of his son, Khalid — just one of many precious moments snatched away by the Egyptian authorities. In 2013, he spent 115 days in jail without trial, which led to a five-year sentence with an additional five-year probationary period.

In 2019, Alaa was wrongfully re-arrested on allegations of spreading fake news and joining a terrorist organization. Since then, he has been confined to a prison cell. In December 2021, the activist was handed an absurd five-year sentence on trumped-up charges, with the years he spent in prison while awaiting trial not counted toward time served.

On April 2, 2022, and after years of unlawful imprisonment, mistreatment, and torture, Alaa shaved his head and started a hunger strike on the first day of Ramadan. A week later hope came briefly, when on April 11, Alaa’s family announced that he had obtained British citizenship in 2021 through his mother, opening up potential new avenues for his release. Shortly after, he undertook a seven-month hunger strike leading up to COP27, coming dangerously close to death. Yet, despite the UK government’s repeated pledges to secure his release, bolstered by interventions from celebrities and politicians across the globe, nothing has changed. Alaa is still imprisoned.

On September 29, he completed the full term of his current sentence. Yet the Egyptian government does not intend to release him, as they have made it clear over the past 11 years that they want him silenced and isolated.

CAMPAIGN UPDATES

Freedom of Expression

Open letter: the UK government must act now to free Alaa

The undersigned human rights organizations call on the UK government to take immediate action to free Alaa, and save his mother’s life.

Alaa Abd el-Fattah – NGOs send letter to United Nations working group on arbitrary detention

Our organisations continue to call for Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s immediate and unconditional release and we request that the UNWGAD urgently announce its opinion on his case.

Protest and Online Organizing

Alaa Abd el-Fattah must be released this month at the end of his prison sentence

Alaa Abd el-Fattah must be released on Sunday, 29 September at the end of his five year prison sentence.

Freedom of Expression

Alaa Abd El-Fattah – Letter to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

Access Now joins 33 other freedom of expression and human rights organisations in signing a letter to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s ongoing imprisonment in Egypt.

Freedom of Expression

Freedom for human rights defender, Alaa Abdel Fattah #FreeAlaa

Access Now is calling to free Alaa Abdel Fattah, Egyptian activist and technologist, and immediately release him from arbitrary detention.

Covid-19

Open letter from Mona Seif, Egyptian human rights defender

This is an open letter from me asking for your solidarity and support. It is long, bear with me please. My name is Mona Seif, I am an Egyptian HRD.

Freedom of Expression

Family of jailed human rights activist Alaa Abdel Fattah attacked, sister detained

We call upon Egyptian authorities to immediately release Sanaa and Alaa and all the detained activists and human rights defenders who are being held for simply exercising their fundamental rights of assembly and freedom of expression.