Voices Against Repression: Exploring Networks of Transnational Activism in the Egyptian Diaspora

This study investigates how political activism evolves and changes from the homeland to the diasporic setting through an analysis of the case of Egypt. Drawing from interviews with four Egyptian activists now residing in Europe, the research highlights how, fleeing repression under an authoritarian regime, Egyptian activists continue to engage in activism and politics in the host countries. In this sense, different forms of activism are explored: human rights, online, grassroots and journalistic activism. The findings reveal that activists tend to shift from a mostly domestic to an international focus, using the opportunities and the freedom they experience abroad as a tool to engage in broader human rights issues. Egyptian activists are inserted into transnational networks and foster diasporic connections with other exiled activists. These influence the forms, goals and perception of their activism, as they facilitate collective actions that exceed state borders, especially around...Show moreThis study investigates how political activism evolves and changes from the homeland to the diasporic setting through an analysis of the case of Egypt. Drawing from interviews with four Egyptian activists now residing in Europe, the research highlights how, fleeing repression under an authoritarian regime, Egyptian activists continue to engage in activism and politics in the host countries. In this sense, different forms of activism are explored: human rights, online, grassroots and journalistic activism. The findings reveal that activists tend to shift from a mostly domestic to an international focus, using the opportunities and the freedom they experience abroad as a tool to engage in broader human rights issues. Egyptian activists are inserted into transnational networks and foster diasporic connections with other exiled activists. These influence the forms, goals and perception of their activism, as they facilitate collective actions that exceed state borders, especially around causes such as Palestine. Due to the limited scope and sensitive nature of the research, a small number of interviews have been conducted. However, the paper is able to provide relevant insights into the reality of exile and into different forms of engagement of political activism in the diaspora. The paper thus contributes to the academic debate on the political potentials of diaspora, calling for further research on exilic activism, particularly in contexts of repressive regimes.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

Voices Against Repression: Exploring Networks of Transnational Activism in the Egyptian Diaspora