AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

View Alerts By > Case | Date | Country | Victim

AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

AAAS is concerned about the arrest, detention, and reported torture and ill-treatment of Mohammad Abdu, a veterinarian. Mr. Abdu was arrested, along with three others, on 17 June, for publicly criticizing Law 96 of 1992, an agricultural law which permits land owners to evict tenants after a grace period. He was charged with possession of printed material criticizing the law and encouraging farmers to peacefully protest the law by signing petitions and organizing strikes. Mr. Abdu is being held under a 15 day detention order pending further investigation.

Following their arrest, Mr. Abdu and the three other individuals were transferred to Tora Penitentiary on 18 June where they were reportedly forced to undress and beaten with a stick and whipped by security officers for four hours. They were then transferred to the High Security Prison in Tora, also known as the Scorpion Prison, where they were isolated from the other detainees, most of whom are suspected members of illegal Islamist groups who have been held incommunicado since December 1993 under an order by the Ministry of the Interior. Although Mr. Abdu's whereabouts became public on 19 June, his lawyer and family were unable to visit him because of the Ministry's order. Following questioning about their reported torture by the Public Prosecutor, Mr. Abdu and the three other men were told they would be referred to forensic medical doctors on 24 June.

Mr. Abdu's detention follows the 24 April arrest of Dr. Ahmad al-Ahwany, a professor of chemical engineering at Cairo University, who had been detained under similar charges. Dr. al-Ahwany was released on bail from Istiqbal Tora Prison on 21 May. It is feared that these recent arrests may signal a crackdown against those critical of the agricultural law.

The arrest, detention, and ill-treatment of Mr. Abdu constitute serious violations of international human rights standards, including those enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the African Charter on Human and People's Rights (African Charter), and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which are legally binding on Egypt as a State Party. These rights include:

• the right to life, liberty, and security of the person (Article 3 of the UDHR, Article 9 of the ICCPR, and Article 6 of the African Charter);
• freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (the Torture Convention, Article 5 of the UDHR, Article 7 of the ICCPR, and Article 5 of the African Charter);
• freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention (Article 3 and 9 of the UDHR; Article 9 of the ICCPR; and Article 6 of the African Charter); and
• freedom of expression (Article 19 of the UDHR; Article 19 of the ICCPR; and Article 9 of the African Charter.

(Source of information on this case includes Amnesty International Urgent Action Appeals, UA 130/97, 19 June 1997, and 24 June 1997)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send telexes, faxes, and airmail letters:

• demanding Mr. Abdu's immediate and unconditional release on the grounds that he is a prisoner of conscience;
• expressing serious concern about his alleged torture while in detention;
• urging that Mr. Abdu and the other detainees be allowed access to appropriate medical care, legal representation, and their families;
• demanding that the reports of ill-treatment and torture be investigated;
• calling on officials to bring those found guilty of torture to justice; and
• urging the Egyptian government to assure that no one will be arrested or detained for exercising his or her right to peacefully oppose Law 96 of 1992.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

Mohammad Hosni Mubarak
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
bedine Palace Cairo EGYPT
telegram: President Mubarak, Cairo, Egypt
telex: 927 93794 WAZRA UN


General Hassan al-Alfy
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior Al-Sheikh Rihan Street Bab al-Louk Cairo EGYPT
fax: 011-202-355-7792
telex: 927 21361 MOICM UN
telegram: Interior Minister, Cairo, Egypt

COPIES SENT TO:

Ms. Nayla Gabr
The Human Rights Department Ministry of Foreign Affairs Corniche al Nil Cairo EGYPT
fax: 011-202-574-9808


Dr. Fathi Sorour
Speaker
The People's Assembly Magles al-Sha'ab Street Cairo EGYPT


Mr. Raga' al-'Arabi
Public Prosecutor
Dar al-Qadha al-'Ali Ramses Street Cairo EGYPT


Ambassador Ahmed Maher El Sayed
Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt 3521 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008-2023

Main | CSFR Letters | Science and Human Rights Program