Since November 2017, at least four female music artists in Egypt have been detained, put on trial or imprisoned for various morality-related offenses.

In November, a video surfaced depicting previously-retired and renowned singer Sherine Abdel Wahab performing at a 2016 concert in Sharjah, UAE. When a fan asks her if she will perform her hit song “Have You Drunk from the Nile?”, Wahab jokingly replies that one might contract a parasitic disease and suggests drinking Evian bottled water instead. Charged with “insulting the Egyptian state” and “disturbing public security, spreading horror among the people or causing harm and damage to the public interest”, Wahab’s accusers believe that her comment could damage the already struggling Egyptian tourist industry.

She is to stand trial on January 30, 2018, after having already endured a two-month ban handed down by Egypt’s Musicians’ Syndicate (ending January 14) on performing in any concerts inside or outside the country.

Later the same month, 25 year-old Shayma Ahmed (who performs under the name Shyma) was arrested and charged with “inciting debauchery” and “publishing an indecent film” after premiering a new music video online. In December, Shyma and the music video’s director were each sentenced to 2 years in prison and a fine of 10,000 Egyptian pounds (about $565). After an appeal process, Shyma’s sentenced was reduced to one year and she remains imprisoned.

Then, also in December, Cairo authorities arrested singer Laila Amer, charging her with “inciting debauchery” under Article 269 of the Egyptian Penal Code after the release of her own newest music video. The title of the song, “Look at Your Mother”, is a play on words that in Arabic alludes to another explicit phrase often used as an insult. In Amer’s case, the Musicians’ Syndicate asked that authorities investigate the young singer, promptly stripping her of membership.

It remains unclear when or if Amer will stand trial for the charges against her.

Finally, a popular singer and dancer known as Eghraa was arrested on December 20, 2017 after the release of her own newest music video. According to Egyptian news sources, Eghraa’s “provocative dancing in revealing clothing” was responsible for her arrest on the same charges as Amer and Shyma. She has faced the same accusations before for a separate video.

Eghraa’s trial was postponed in early January and no details have yet emerged as to its outcome, but she faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

These recent cases point to the rising levels of persecution of women artists in Egypt. Peaceful free expression is a basic human right. We call on Egypt to end state sponsored persecution and recognize that women’s rights are human rights.