TO: Egyptian Authorities

In September, a few Egyptians waved rainbow flags at a concert in Cairo. That lead to a hunt for people who the authorities thought could be LGBT. So far, at least 59 people have been arrested just for being perceived as LGBT.

We remind the Egyptian state of its responsibility to protect citizens and guarantee their freedom of speech and expression.

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Update – 6 November 2017: Today, we delivered the signatures to the Minister of Interior of Egypt. But the fight is not over. We will keep monitoring the situation and working with our partners on the ground, on the next steps of the campaign.

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At least 59 people have been detained in Egypt just because someone waved a rainbow flag.

The hunt started two weeks ago, when images of a concert in Cairo were posted on social media, showing someone dancing with the rainbow flag. The police claimed that the people arrested were “homosexuals who raised the LGBT flag and encouraged the practice of immoral acts."

Most of those detained have been put through a speedy trial and sentenced to six years in prison. They are appealing these sentences and we need all the support we can get to show Egyptian authorities that colours are not shame. That's why activists from Egypt, the Middle East, and North Africa have started this petition with All Out.

Please stand with us and demand Egyptian authorities protect their citizens, instead of hunting them down.

This campaign is being run in partnership with activists from Egypt, the Middle East, and North Africa, who wish to remain anonymous for their own safety.

Published on 7 October 2017

This is a campaign of the All Out Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.