Several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, said that Egypt’s security forces had arrested more than 90 people in recent days who intended to organize protests during COP27.
The protests are being scheduled for November 11, when US President Joe Biden is expected to arrive in the country to participate in the climate summit and meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
A former army general, el-Sisi has ruled autocratically since 2014 after a coup d’état toppled the only democratically elected president in Egypt’s history, Islamist Mohamed Morsi.
The protests were intended to draw the attention of world public opinion against the regime at a time when the eyes of the world are turning to the country, as the COP is one of the biggest international events ever held in Egypt.
Police make blockades and strengthen security in the country
With the presence of more than a hundred world leaders confirmed for the climate summit, the Egyptian police reinforced all their – already normally – rigorous security schemes.
The resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, host of the event, has been taken over by police and military for several days.
Anyone arriving in the city, on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, has to go through several police roadblocks.
The CNN Brasil team participating in the summit coverage underwent three different checks of their passports and documents while still at the airport.
All travelers’ luggage must go through an x-ray machine after disembarking the flight.
Police officers still open all suitcases with cameras or computers, which can eventually hide bombs.
On the way to the hotel, the team still had to go through a police blockade and had their car inspected by a security with anti-bomb equipment.
Around the convention center where the event takes place, thousands of police and military personnel –including UN teams– help to ensure the safety of the more than 30,000 COP participants.
Source: CNN Brasil
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