User:Courageous Women/sandbox

Azza Soliman (born in 1968) is an Egyptian lawyer, feminist and human-rights activist who speaks out against practices of torture, arbitrary detention, domestic abuse and rape. In 1995 she founded the centre for Egyptian Women’s Legal assistance (CEWLA) an organisation that campaigns for the equality of women, with an emphases on legal equity and the amendment of discriminatory laws.

Soliman is part of Amnesty International's Brave Campaign, which calls for the recognition and protection of human right's defenders around the world.

On the 19th November 2016, an Egyptian judicial order banned Soliman from travelling, while she was on her way to Jordan to participate in 'Musawah', a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family, led by feminists "seeking to reclaim Islam and the Koran for themselves." The following day, Egyptian authorities froze her assets and law firm. Soon after, Soliman was detained and arrested by Egyptian authorities, initially accused of being a 'spy.' She now faces three charges of tax evasion, operating a civil society organisation without proper registration, and slandering Egypt's image and reputation by claiming Egyptian women are at risk of rape.

Amnesty International are currently leading a campaign raising awareness on Soliman's arrest, as if she is found guilty she may face a life sentence in prison.