The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on Egypt,

A.  whereas Dr Saad Eddin Ibrahim, Director of the Khaldun Centre for Democracy, was arrested together with 27 other people in July 2000 and sentenced on 21 May 2001 to seven years" imprisonment; pointing out also that the Egyptian judiciary is required to review his case,

B.  whereas Mrs Nawal Saadawi has been victim of a defamation campaign that attributed her some statements offending Islam; whereas the Attorney General has decided in her case to drop the charge of "contempt for religion" and to transfer the charge of apostasy to the competent court with his recommendation to drop the charges,

1.  Calls for Dr Ibrahim to be assured a fair trial;

2.  Recalls that freedom of expression is fundamental for the development and strengthening of democracy;

3.  Reaffirms the importance of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership in promoting the rule of law and human rights; asks the Commission to strengthen its MEDA programme for democracy, in cooperation with the Egyptian authorities, in particular with a view to supporting freedom of expression and the independence of the media;

4.  Expresses its support for the Khaldun Centre for Democracy and calls on the Commission to continue to support its initiatives;

5.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Egyptian Government and parliament.