afrol News, 4 January - A court in Egypt has refused to place a ban on 51 websites in the country. The court recognised the importance of freedom of expression in a civilised society and as such the websites should operate as long as they do not undermine fundamental beliefs or public order.

The sentence comes at a time when Egypt's has been at daggers end with right defenders over its depletion of press freedom and expression. Right defenders said the development signalled that change is imminent in the North African country.

But the ruling has dealt a blow to the new "Hesba" men bent on gagging freedom of press and expression. It has also shocked all those trying to terrorise journalists and internet users in Egypt.

"Minor victories give us hope and the ability to continue, and this sentence restored our confidence that our efforts in support of freedom in Egypt are not lost in vain," Cairo-based Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo) quoted Ahmed Seif Al-Islam Hamad, a human rights activist and former director of Hisham Mubarak Law Center (HMLC) as saying.

"It is truly a wonderful day. We are pleased with this sentence that restores things back to normal and restores consideration for human rights, press institutions and blogs that have been unjustly described as 'terrorist'," the Executive Director of HRinfo, Gamal Eid, said.

"The right of citizens to a free Internet and a free flow of information is now guaranteed by the judiciary in Egypt."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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