Executive summary:
In 2024, Cairo 52 Legal Research Institute continued to be Egypt’s only dedicated provider of legal aid for individuals arrested under vice laws, offering both pro bono legal representation and legal consultation to 175 individuals. Our approach remained intersectional, focusing on how these laws disproportionately target marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, sex workers, and people living with HIV.
Key Highlights:
- 60 individuals received legal representation in 45 cases, most involving charges under Egypt’s Anti-Sex Work Law (Law No. 10/1961) and the Cybercrime Law (Law No. 175/2018).
- 64% acquittal rate achieved, despite increasing reliance by courts on digital forensic analysis, making legal defenses more challenging.
- Surveillance through dating apps like Grindr and Facebook was the most common arrest method, followed by phone number entrapments.
- Discriminatory court practices continue, particularly in Alexandria’s Economic Court, where some rulings invoke religious justification.
Legal Consultations (115 cases) addressed critical needs such as:
- Queer immigration & asylum (including 2 workshops and 5 support letters)
- Legal gender recognition for 15 transgender individuals
- Military service exemptions based on SOGI for 12 individuals
- Gender-affirming healthcare and related legal advice
- Safety guidance for sex workers and support for HIV+ individuals
These activities not only supported individuals in urgent need but also informed our regional strategic litigation and advocacy, including contributions to UN human rights mechanisms.
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