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The DA condemns the sentencing of Al-Jazeera journalists by Egyptian courts and will table this matter for discussion at the Pan African Parliament.

The DA will also be submitting parliamentary questions to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, so as to ascertain:

• South Africa’s exact position on the matter;
• What intervention, if any, will be undertaken by South Africa on the issue.

Two Al-Jazeera journalists were sentenced to seven years in jail and one to ten years by an Egyptian court for allegedly reporting false news, violating Egyptian religious practices and aiding the political opposition.

We believe that neither the religious practices nor the constitution of Egypt were violated by the journalists in question.

As a party which rigorously defends the Constitution of South Africa which upholds freedom of speech, freedom of press and freedom of association, we consider the legal action taken against the Al-Jazeera journalists operating in Egypt as unjust.

The DA will push for this matter to be addressed both at the Pan-African Parliament and in the Parliament of South Africa in order to protect the principle of press freedom.