Dear friend,

Our hearts nearly stopped this morning when we heard the news.

A group of human rights workers in Cairo, including two members of Amnesty International staff, were detained by police after a human rights law centre was overtaken by Egyptian military forces. We do not know their current whereabouts.

In the last few days, thousands of Egyptians took to the streets in the biggest protests yet, amid increasing violence. As Amnesty supporters we know the people of Egypt deserve to have their voices heard, and they deserve to organise peacefully without fear of brutality.

Yet we also know that when human rights observers are not allowed the freedom to do their crucial work, information stays inside the country and the people of Egypt are in even greater danger.

Let’s appeal directly to the authorities and tell them this madness has got to stop: Tell Egyptian officials to immediately release all activists, journalists and human rights workers on the ground in Cairo.

Thank you for your help at this crucial time. With this sudden, brutal crackdown on journalists and human rights workers, the people of Egypt need us to stand with them more than ever. And if we don't act now, there's no telling how long the crisis will continue or how many people will suffer in the end.

Click here to bring our colleagues to safety and human rights to the people of Egypt.

With hope,

Jenny Leong
Crisis Campaigner
Amnesty International Australia