Protecting Bold Voices

I'm Noha Atef, a blogger from Egypt. I've been blogging on Tortureinegypt.net since 2006, reporting horrible torture crimes and violence against innocent citizens. There are unbelievable stories that have been going on, but more would happen if I and others didn't speak up. If people don't know about these crimes, they will not resist them.

Do you know that my blog became a point of reference to people interested in the cause of torture? And thousands of readers are visiting it everyday. Do you know how it all started? The beginning was just a word. I read a testimony of a torture victim, was shocked, then decided to start blogging about it.

I'm sure one of the readers of tortureinegypt.net was motivated by a word he/she read on the blog and started something, perhaps something more effective than what I did.

My dear comrade, the word is a great power. That's why authorities will not be happy to find people keeping the 'Power of Word' and censor them. Dictators don't want anyone else to have the power. Can't you imagine how you are a person powerful enough to disturb a system?! So, you should never take off your arm, don't stop reporting.

I know that a 'person' cannot stand against a 'system' or a regime. You might, and pay the price of revealing the truth, but you should be sure that eventually you are the winner! You know, I lost my job in 2007 after starting blogging, which sounds bad, right? But NO, I had a better one, and later I got even a better and better other one. I mean when you fall down don't ever think that's all or have the attitude of "Ah! I will not take this way again!" but stand up on your feet, remove the dust from your self and keep up with more confident steps.

Comrade, I know that sometimes you feel that getting arrested is quite possible, and unfortunately that's true! But you should not let it turn into a 'phobia'; just think about how you will deal with your arrest. I recommend you let some of your sincere friends know your whereabouts when you're going to a place you think police could take you from. It's a good idea to save an 'I'm arrested' message on your mobile, so you can send it quickly to your friends if something happened. Also, don't forget to give your friend a backup of your to-be-published-online work along with the contacts of your emails. These email address will be helpful if you are arrested, to let people know and ask for your freedom.

My dear truth revealer, you should find others who are on the running on the same track you are in and network with them. You will be both inspired and inspiring, and you will find people who are always in solidarity with you. I'd like to be one of them!

I'm glad and honored to find a way to speak to you. Thanks for World Pulse and, I'm looking forward to reading/watching your work.

Best wishes & greetings from Cairo,

Noha