Hafez Al Sayed Seada is a member of the Egyptian Organization of Human Rights, which reports and investigates human rights violations. He works to modify government activities that go against international human rights standards. However, Seada has been investigated by the Egyptian government for his involvement with the organization. Egypt has been ruled under Emergency Law since 1981 which annuls constitutional rights. The media is included in this as Seada elaborates, “the press is restricted, independent newspapers and television are banned, and all other newspapers are owned by the government.” This ban of press to expose the issue violates Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In his youth, Seada was a student activist but a brutal encounter with the police inspired him to fight for human rights and against discrimination .
Seada was first arrested by police in 1979. He was participating in his university’s protest against the government for students’ rights to work on government issues and association. After refusing to reveal who was supporting him he was jailed where the police tortured him for one month. Remorseless, the police repeatedly shocked and beat Seada to the point where he had to be hospitalized. Facial scars, from being pushed through a window, provide a glimpse of his traumatic experience. Ever since that event e has made human rights in Egypt a personal goal by working as a human rights lawyer and reporter of human rights violations. He was again arrested for publishing a report about the torture of the Copts and accused of spying for Britain. Seada expressed that the accusation was invalid and expressed he did everything alone due to his goal, stating “I felt I should take my responsibility and bear the consequences.” He was not willing to back down in the face of the enemy for a cause that was morally correct.
Seada writes and publishes reports of human rights violations along with assisting victims of human rights violations. As Egypt still have these problems in the present, Seada's efforts are not completely effective. The Emergency Rule is still in effect and the government still controls the media. The Egyptian Organization of Human Rights is constantly under attack by the government and investigated for their efforts. Seada himself has been threatened for his work. Despite the risks, Seada refuses to let anything halt him from executing his mission. Although in American light Egypt seems out of control, Seada believes that one day Egypt will be a democratic state and have respect to human rights. He believes this new Egypt will only come into reality when Egyptians demand their rights and he knows that those in power who have done wrong will have to face their faults. Seada is fully confident of the future of Egypt, if he doesn't see this future with his own eyes, he knows future generations will. Seada’s opinion regarding the current condition of Egypt, Seada states, “Things are in a state of change- here is no looking back.”