AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

Mohammad Abdu, a veterinarian, was arrested on 17 June for publicly criticizing Law 96 of 1992, an agricultural law which permits land owners to evict tenants after a grace period. The Public Prosecutor has reportedly extended the initial detention order issued against Mr. Abdu for an additional 15 days.

Mr. Abdu and three individuals arrested with him are believed to be prisoners of conscience. Security officers reportedly tortured the four men while they were in custody at Tora Penitentiary. Following questioning about their reported torture by the Public Prosecutor, Mr. Abdu and the three other men were told that they would be referred to forensic medical doctors on 24 June. Mr. Abdu is presently being held in the High Security Prison in Tora where he has been denied access to his lawyer and family.

Another scientist, Dr. Ahmad al-Ahwany, a professor of chemical engineering at Cairo University, was arrested on 24 April and detained under similar charges. Dr. al-Ahwany was released on bail from Istiqbal Tora Prison on 21 May. 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 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 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 7 of the ICCPR, and Article 5 of the African Charter);
• freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention (Article 9 of the ICCPR and Article 6 of the African Charter); and
• freedom of expression (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, 17 July 1997, 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
Abedine 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

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