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Country Listing: Egypt Name: Mohammad Abdu Profession: Veterinary Sciences Subject: Veterinarian Released Alert Dates: 3 October 1997, 25 August 1997, 10 July 1997 Case Number: EG9705.ABD Updated: 7 August 1998 Human Rights Issues
Veterinarian Mohammad Abdu, arrested on 17 June 1997, was released from prison on 25 September 1997. Mr. Abdu was arrested and tortured, along with three others, for publicly criticizing Law 96 of 1992, an agricultural law permitting land owners to evict tenants after a grace period. Other opponents of the law remain in detention. Please see Kamal Khalil Khalil and Akram Alfy Mikha’il for related cases. The case of Dr. Ahmad al Ahwany, which does not appear in this Directory, but is listed in the AAASHRAN archive on-line, is also related. No further action is requested. (Source of information on this case includes Amnesty International.) As a State Party, Egypt is bound by international law to uphold the rights and freedoms listed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ratified by Egypt on 14 January 1982) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ratified by Egypt on 3 April 1984). Name: Kamal Khalil Khalil Profession: Engineering Subject: Engineer Released Alert Dates: 3 December 1997, 3 October 1997, 25 August 1997, 10 July 1997 Case Number: EG9714.KHA Updated: 7 August 1998 Human Rights Issues
Kamal Khalil Khalil, an engineer and prisoner of conscience, was released from prison on 11 November 1997. Mr. Khalil was arrested on 30 August 1997 for his peaceful activities opposing Law 96 of 1992, an agricultural law permitting land owners to evict tenants after a grace period. He was a founding member of the Committee for the Defense of Farmers, which was established in 1997 by opponents of the agriculture law. Others arrested under similar circumstances have been tortured and otherwise ill-treated. Some remain in detention. An estimated 180 people have been arrested for expressing their opposition to Law 96. Please see Mohammad Abdu and Akram Alfy Mikha'il for related cases. The case of Dr. Ahmad al Ahwany, which does not appear in this Directory, but is listed in the AAASHRAN archive on-line, is also related. No further action is requested. (Source of information on this case includes Amnesty International.) Name: Akram Alfy Mikha'il Profession: Economics/Political Science (Student) Subject: Student Arrested Alert Dates: 3 October 1997, 25 August 1997, 10 July 1997 Case Number: EG9715.MIK Updated: 7 August 1998 Human Rights Issues
Akram Alfy Mikha'il, an economics and political science student at Cairo University was charged with distributing leaflets critical of Law 96 of 1992, an agricultural law permitting land owners to evict tenants after a grace period. There is concern for the wellbeing of Mr. Mikha'il. He is being held under a fifteen-day detention order, and his whereabouts are unknown. Security officers have reportedly tortured individuals arrested under similar circumstances, including four men who were released on 25 September 1997. Please see Mohammad Abdu and Khalil Khalil Kamal for related cases. The case of Dr. Ahmad al Ahwany, which does not appear in this Directory, but is listed in the AAASHRAN archive on-line, is also related. (Source of information on this case includes Amnesty International.) Relevant International Treaty Articles The detention of Mr. Mikha'il for the peaceful expression of his opposition to Law 96 of 1992 constitutes serious violations of international human rights standards, including those enumerated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and People's Rights. These rights include: Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
Under the African Charter on Human and People's Rights:
Name: Ibrahim Khalil al-Za’farani Profession: Physician Subject: Doctor Released Alert Dates: 22 April 1998, 17 March 1998, 26 December 1996, 22 November 1995, 8 September 1995, 2 March 1995 Case Number: EG9536 Updated: 7 August 1998 Human Rights Issues
Dr. Ibrahim Khalil al-Za'farani, Secretary General of the Alexandria branch of the Medical Syndicate in Cairo and head of its human rights committee, was released from prison on 18 March 1998. He was arrested on 22 January 1998, just hours after his release from prison upon completion of a three-year prison term with hard labor. Dr. al-Za'farani was previously arrested on 22 January 1995. He was charged with "membership in a secret organization which aims to overthrow the regime by force, contacts with foreign quarters, and possession of hostile printed material" based on his association with the Muslim Brothers organization. However, the real reason for his arrest is believed to be his campaign activities for the November 1995 legislative elections. No further action is requested. (Source of information on this case is Amnesty International.) |
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