The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Egypt.
According to the information received, on January 15, 2010, the thirty-three above-mentioned human rights defenders were arrested upon their arrival to the Egyptian Governorate of Qena, where they had travelled to express support with the families of the victims of the shooting that occurred on Coptic Christmas, between January 6 and 7, 2010, which left seven persons dead and incited tense sectarian protests in Egypt and to denounce sectarian violence and the human rights violations committed by the authorities allegedly to combat it.
The group of human rights defenders was told by the police that an arrest warrant had been issued against them on January 15, 2010, but none was shown to them. The group was detained incommunicado in the Qena Security Directorate, their lawyers being denied access to the Qena Security Directorate and told that their clients were not being held there.
On January 16, 2010, the group was released. According to the information received, no charges have been brought against them to date. But during detention, the group was threatened of prosecution for "violating the Constitution" and "constituting a group of more than five people inciting demonstrations" pursuant to the Emergency Law [1] .
The detainees reported that Ms. Israa Abdel Fatah and Mr. Ahmed Badawy were subjected to ill-treatments during their arrest. Ms. Abdel Fatah was roughly grabbed by her arm and Mr. Badawy violently pushed. Additionally, the group was held in inhumane conditions, its members being given one single meal during their detention, and given neither bed nor blankets. While in custody, Mr. Tareq Sabry Abdallah suffered severe health conditions and had to be transferred to the hospital on three occasions.
Actions requested:
Please write to the authorities of Egypt, urging them to:
i. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of the thirty-three above-mentioned human rights defenders as well as of all human rights defenders in Egypt;
ii. Carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into above-mentioned acts of ill-treatment faced by above-mentioned defenders during their arrest and detention, the result of which must be made public, in order to bring all those responsible before a competent, independent and impartial tribunal and apply penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
iii. Put an end to any kind of harassment - including at the judicial level - against the thirty-three above-mentioned human rights defenders as well as of all human rights defenders in Egypt;
iv. Comply with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, especially its Article 1, which states that "everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels", and Article 12.2, which provides that "the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration";
v. More generally, ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Egypt.
Addresses
· President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, His Excellency Mohammad Hosni Mubarak, Abedine Palace, Cairo, Egypt, E-mail: webmaster@presidency.gov.eg, Fax: +202 390 1998
· Prime Minister Mr. Ahmed Mahmoud Mohamed Nazif, Magles El Shaab Street, Kasr El Aini Street, Cairo, Egypt. Fax: + 202 735 6449 / 7958016. Email: primemin@idsc.gov.eg
· Minister of the Interior, General Habib Ibrahim Habib El Adly, Ministry of the Interior, El-Sheikh Rihan Street, Bab al-Louk, Cairo, Egypt, E-mail: moi1@idsc.gov.eg, Fax: +202 579 2031 / 794 5529
· Minister of Justice, Mr. Mamdoh Mohie E-din Marie, Ministry of Justice, Magles El Saeb Street, Wezaret Al Adl, Cairo, Egypt, E-mail: mojeb@idsc.gov.eg, Fax: +202 795 8103
· Public Prosecutor, Counsellor Maher Abd al-Wahid, Dar al-Qadha al-Ali, Ramses Street, Cairo, Egypt, Fax: +202 577 4716
· National Council For Human Rights, Fax: + 202 5747497 / 5747670
· Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations in Geneva, 49 avenue Blanc, 1202 Genève, Switzerland, Email: mission.egypt@ties.itu.int, Fax: +41 22 738 44 15
· Embassy of Egypt in Brussels, 19 avenue de l’Uruguay, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, Fax: + 32 2 675.58.88; Email: embassy.egypt@skynet.be
Please also write to the diplomatic missions or embassies of Egypt in your respective country.
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Paris-Geneva, January 20, 2010
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