Egyptian Regime Criticized As Climate Activist Arrested Before Cop27

"Concern over country’s human rights record after Indian Ajit Rajagopal arrested on walk to raise awareness about climate crisis"

"The arrest of an Indian climate activist by Egyptian security forces has renewed alarm about the regime’s dire human rights record as it prepares to host the Cop27 UN climate summit.

Ajit Rajagopal, an architect and activist from Kerala in south India, was arrested on Sunday afternoon shortly after setting off on an eight-day walk from Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh as part of a global campaign to raise awareness about the climate crisis.

The arrest was described as “illegal” by a local human rights group who reported that at least 67 people had been arrested in Cairo and other cities in recent days as authorities try to quell any planned protests.

Rajagopal, who was walking alone holding a white paper sign calling for climate justice at Cop27, was detained at a security checkpoint, apparently for not having obtained prior authorization to protest."

Nina Lakhani reports for the Guardian November 2, 2022.

SEE ALSO:

"Egypt’s Barren Fields Are Dire Bellwether for Climate Summit" (Bloomberg Green)

"Nile Is In Mortal Danger, From Its Source To The Sea" (AFP)

"Climate Change and Rising Seas Threaten Egypt's Breadbasiet" (AP)

"Choking on factory waste: the Nile's rising scourge" (AFP)

Source: Guardian, 11/03/2022