Egyptian Front for Human Rights has released a report:” Systematic Violations & Overlooked Complaints: 300 Documented testimonies regarding the conditions of Egyptian prisons before the prosecution“. Egypt adopts integrated human rights concept, including right to health, security, education, and … Egypt must end crackdown on human rights defenders On Thursday and Friday, the European Parliament adopted two resolutions taking stock of the human rights situation in China, Iran and Egypt. “These executions are particularly appalling given the well documented and systematic breaches of fair trial rights in Egypt, with courts often relying on torture-tainted ‘confessions.’ Not only are the Egyptian authorities trampling on the right to life in shocking disregard for their obligations under international law, but they are also punishing the brave human rights defenders at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights documenting and speaking out these violations.”. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. Human rights defenders Mohamed al-Baqer, Esraa Abdelfatah, Mahienour al-Masry and Solafa Magdy are detained pending investigations in the same case over similar "terrorism" related charges. 8 January 2021 Egypt: Further Information: Human Rights Defender Detained in New Case: Ibrahim Ezz El-Din Research Egypt. This shocking death toll is likely to be an underestimate, as Egyptian authorities do not publish statistics on executions or the number of prisoners on death row; nor do they inform families or lawyers in advance of executions.   |   The Egyptian authorities executed 15 men in October convicted of murder in cases related to political violence. According to the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights in 2011, 701 cases of torture at Egyptian police stations have been documented since 1985, with 204 victims dying of torture and mistreatment. The outgoing US president had largely turned a blind eye to human rights violations in Egypt and the Middle East region and had even jokingly described Sisi as "my favorite dictator." The arrest of EIPR staff, following a meeting with diplomats, Gasser Abdel-Razek’s punitive treatment in detention and the designation of human rights defenders as ‘terrorists’, are the latest illustrations of how deep and catastrophic the crisis of human rights in Egypt has become.   |   Yesterday, Gasser Abdel- Razek appeared before a prosecutor for questioning, and a meeting of ambassadors to the Human Rights Council took place in Geneva to discuss the international response. December 22, 2020 . Gasser Abdel-Razek, Criminal Justice Unit director Karim Ennarah and Administrative Director Mohamed Basheer, are all detained pending investigations into bogus “terrorism”-related charges, solely as a result of the EIPR’s human rights work. The European Parliament issued a resolution on the human rights situation in Egypt on 18 December 2020, which is International Migrants Day. On 4 October, 10 men were executed after being convicted and sentenced to death, in the case known as "Agnad Masr," involving violent attacks on officials and public property. They were arbitrarily arrested between 15 and 19 November in retaliation for a meeting with western diplomats earlier this month. Ensure more transparency and ex ante human rights impact assessments for all forms of financial support or training provided by the EU to Egypt, both directly and indirectly, in order to ensure that EU support does not in any way facilitate or contribute to human rights violations in Egypt. Egypt, however, has repeatedly denied accusations of human rights violations. Among those on death row after having exhausted all possibilities of appeal is Wael Tawadros, known as Father Isaiah, a monk who was convicted of killing Bishop Anba Epiphanius in April 2019. The case, known as "Storming the Kerdasa police station", involved the death of 13 policemen.   |   Human Rights Watch | 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor | New York, NY 10118-3299 USA | t 1.212.290.4700 Human Rights Watch is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit registered in … Written by Eldar Mamedov. However, there has not been an independent and transparent investigation into the incident. Egypt’s human rights foundation renews complaint to UNHCR over Qatar’s violations The organisation has also called on Qatar to stop arresting its citizens, including a member of … “Instead of responding to global calls to end the unprecedented attacks on the EIPR, the Egyptian authorities continue to add to the litany of committed human rights violations by deliberately ill-treating Gasser Abdel-Razek in solitary confinement without access to basic necessities as punishment for his human rights leadership. Torture is rampant in Egypt, and frequently used to extract “confessions”, while courts regularly fail to order investigations into allegations of torture and admit torture-tainted “confessions” as evidence. To our knowledge, however, this is the first case of reprisals against civil society for engaging with a group of diplomatic representatives, thereby representing an escalation in the authorities’ crackdown. The authorities continued to severely restrict human rights organizations’ and political parties’ freedom of association. In a statement last month, EIPR said security forces had arrested its lead member Gasser Abdel-Razek at … We also urge the international community, including UN human rights bodies, to publicly call on the Egyptian authorities to immediately halt executions, and for members of the UN Human Rights Council to establish a monitoring and reporting mechanism on the human rights situation in Egypt. On December 19, the European Parliament adopted resolutions condemning human rights violations in Iran and Egypt. If you are talented and passionate about human rights then Amnesty International wants to hear from you. 7 human rights organizations affirmed that human rights violations in Egypt exceeded perceptions, calling for consideration of humanity, within the framework of respect and adherence to the Egyptian Constitution,national laws and international covenants binding on the Egyptian government.. “The international community must show to Egypt that they utterly reject the equation of defending human rights with terrorism and continue to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained human rights defenders in Egypt.". Privacy Policy “We call on the Egyptian authorities to commute all death sentences, and to quash convictions and order fair retrials without recourse to the death penalty for Wael Tawadros and anyone else convicted after unfair trials. Given the Egyptian authorities lack of transparency, the number of prisoners currently at risk of execution is unknown. He was also denied the right to an adequate defense. Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue. EIPR has been documenting and fighting against such violations for 18 years, and its staff are now paying a heavy price,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Research and Advocacy Director. In reality, the Egyptian authorities view legitimate human rights work like defending LGBTI rights, opposing the death penalty, defending religious minorities and promoting the right to health as terrorism” said Philip Luther. They include Zyad el-Elaimy, a human rights lawyer and member of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, who was arrested for attempting to co-found a parliamentary coalition called the “Hope Coalition” to run in the 2020 parliamentary elections, and Abeer el-Safty, a journalist who has been detained following her refusal to be coerced by the police into voting in a 2019 referendum. Egypt rights group says third member arrested in less than a week. "Egyptian authorities regularly use unfounded ‘terrorism’ charges to detain and defame human rights defenders in the eyes of the Egyptian public and international community. According to the Egyptian Front for Human Rights, as of June authorities executed at least 15 prisoners in three cases on political grounds. On 20 November, the Spokesperson of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed deep concern “that the targeting of human rights defenders and other activists, as well as further restrictions on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly imposed in the country, are having a profound chilling effect on an already weakened Egyptian civil society.” On the same day, the Secretary General, through his Spokesperson, endorsed this statement. Gasser Abdel Razek, the Executive Director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), was arrested by security forces yesterday. You can use this tool to change your cookie settings. In October and November alone, the Egyptian authorities executed at least 57 men and women, nearly double the recorded 32 people they executed throughout 2019, Amnesty International said today. Political parties faced arbitrary restrictions on their work, such as organizing public events, and increasing arrests of their members. Ensure more transparency and ex ante human rights impact assessments for all forms of financial support or training provided by the EU to Egypt, both directly and indirectly, in order to ensure that EU support does not in any way facilitate or contribute to human rights violations in Egypt. He was then beaten, given electric shocks, and ordered to act out the alleged murder on camera. If you are talented and passionate about human rights then Amnesty International wants to hear from you. Cookie Statement “Instead of responding to global calls to end the unprecedented attacks on the EIPR, the Egyptian authorities continue to add to the litany of committed human rights violations by deliberately ill-treating Gasser Abdel-Razek in solitary confinement without access to basic necessities as punishment for his human rights leadership. But Egypt has repeatedly denied accusations of human rights violations. “The human rights situation in Egypt has continued to deteriorate as authorities intensify their crackdown on civil society, human rights defenders, health workers, journalists, opposition members, academics, and lawyers,” the parliament said in the document. — Soraya Rodríguez (@sorayarr_) December 18, 2020 Egypt rejected the resolution later on Friday, accusing the EU Parliament of pursuing “politicised objectives and an unbalanced policy”. Wael Tawadros said that when a judge ordered that he be taken to hospital for a medical test, the officer ordered a medical worker to write that he was fine. Amnesty International has documented the Egyptian authorities’ routine and systematic use counter-terror legislation to prosecute thousands of peaceful critics and suspend guarantees to fair trial. Violation of international law. “The arrest of EIPR staff, following a meeting with diplomats, Gasser Abdel-Razek’s punitive treatment in detention and the designation of human rights defenders as ‘terrorists’, are the latest illustrations of how deep and catastrophic the crisis of human rights in Egypt has become. Refunds of donations. Wael Tawadros's family told Amnesty International that the Abaadiya prison administration has been subjecting him to discriminatory and punitive treatment as well, by preventing him from corresponding with his family and denying him regular access to a priest, in violation of international standards and Egyptian law. ... highlighting gross violations of fair trial rights including defendants being denied access to their lawyers during their detention, ... and for members of the UN Human Rights Council to establish a monitoring and reporting mechanism on the human rights situation in Egypt… Share Copy Print . Instead of responding to global calls to end the unprecedented attacks on the EIPR, the Egyptian authorities continue to add to the litany of committed human rights violations by deliberately ill-treating Gasser Abdel-Razek in solitary confinement without access to basic necessities as punishment for his human rights leadership. As part of this broader response, it is time for the UN Human Rights Council to take immediate steps towards establishing a monitoring mechanism on Egypt.”. According to his family, Wael Tawadros was arrested and held in an undisclosed location between 2 and 28 August 2018, where the Ministry of Interior refused to acknowledge his detention and reveal his location to his family and denied him access to his lawyer, effectively subjecting him to enforced disappearance. States and UN actors cannot continue to tolerate a status quo in which civil society is being cut off and suffocated without consequence; they must, through word and deed, demand meaningful improvements to the human rights situation in Egypt. 184 people, sentencing 183 (34 in their absence) to death and a child to 10 years in prison and acquitted two people, while two others died by the time of the verdict. Multiple UN experts have expressed concern about how Egypt’s terrorism laws facilitate rights abuses, and how imprisoned human rights defenders in Egypt are at grave risk of COVID-19. The Egyptian authorities have embarked on a horrifying execution spree in recent months, putting scores of people to death, in some cases following grossly unfair mass trials. These executions are particularly appalling given the well documented and systematic breaches of fair trial rights in Egypt, with courts often relying on torture-tainted ‘confessions.’ Not only are the Egyptian authorities trampling on the right to life in shocking disregard for their obligations under international law, but they are also punishing the brave human rights defenders at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights documenting and speaking out these violations. On 23 November, Amnesty International along with other organizations, participated in a meeting hosted by a number of Human Rights Ambassadors focused on how to respond to the arrests against EIPR staff, and the larger context of repression against civil society. Cookie Statement The security forces raided the home of Mohamed Basheer, the human resources director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), in the … Yesterday, Gasser Abdel-Razek appeared in front of the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP) for additional questioning. 2 December 2020, 00:00 UTC. Permissions Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue. All his personal belongings and money have been confiscated. The cruel and inhuman treatment meted out in prison against Gasser Abdel-Razek, Executive Director of Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) is outrageous and shows the Egyptian authorities’ determination to escalate this crackdown against human rights defenders, said Amnesty International. B. whereas following their meeting with 13 foreign ambassadors and diplomats on 3 November 2020, three activists from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), one of the last independent human rights organisations in Egypt, Gasser Abdel Razek, Karim Ennarah and Mohammad Basheer, were arrested by security forces and charged with terrorism and national security-related offences between … According to a video statement given by Wael Tawadros in court, examined by Amnesty International, police officers stripped him naked, then took him to the monastery and told him to wear his monk robe. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. Permissions Your choice regarding cookies on this site Prison authorities have denied him any time outside his cell, including for exercise. Egypt Under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government, Egypt has been experiencing its worst human rights crisis in many decades. One of the men executed, Gamal Zaki, had appeared in a video “confession” broadcast on several media outlets before the trial was concluded, severely undermining his right to fair trial, including his right not to incriminate himself and his right to the presumption of innocence. Privacy Policy Experts believe that, by torturing children, Egypt is violating a range of rights contained in the CRC. Annual report 2019: Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Egypt: Abused and denied heath care, prisoners’ lives at risk, Ukraine: ECHR ruling on EuroMaydan protesters is a crucial step towards justice, “We wish to overcome the decades of marginalization that brought us here”, Human rights lawyers become “endangered species” in Turkey. Three other men who were executed on 4 October had been convicted in another case of political violence in the aftermath of the authorities’ dispersal of the Rabaa sit-in. On the same day, judicial authorities added human rights defender and founder of Adalah Center for Rights and Freedoms Mohamed al-Baqer to the "terrorists list" for five years, along with prominent blogger and activist Alaa Abdelfatah and other opposition politicians, without charging them with a criminal offence, nor giving them an opportunity to challenge the evidence. Alleged murder on camera of EU sanctions for those violations their members deliberately held in poor to. 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