In a case that has triggered widespread concern among human rights organizations, Malaysian authorities have detained Egyptian national Marwan Mohamed Magdy Osman Ahmed, a university student residing in Malaysia, after he wrote protest slogans on the outer walls of the Egyptian embassy in Kuala Lumpur. His messages called for opening the Rafah border crossing and showed solidarity with the people of Gaza under siege.
Marwan’s peaceful protest was a symbolic expression of support for civilians in Gaza. However, the Egyptian embassy described his action as a “threat to national security” and filed a formal complaint accusing him of “high treason,” according to statements made by the Malaysian police.
Marwan is currently being held by Malaysian authorities, while legal proceedings are reportedly underway that may result in his forcible return to Egypt — a move the undersigned organizations view as a grave violation of the principle of non-refoulement. Such an act would likely expose him to arbitrary detention, torture, and an unfair trial, especially given Egypt’s internationally documented record of widespread human rights violations, including the routine use of torture, enforced disappearances, and the lack of fair trial guarantees for political detainees.
As international human rights organizations, we call on the Malaysian government to uphold its obligations under international law, particularly the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Malaysia is a state party.
We specifically urge Malaysia to comply with Article 3(1) of the Convention, which states:
"No State Party shall expel, return (‘refouler’) or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture."
Given the high risk of torture and ill-treatment Marwan faces if returned to Egypt, the Malaysian government bears full responsibility for his safety and well-being.
The signatories of this statement demand that Malaysia immediately halt any extradition procedures and refrain from handing Marwan over to Egyptian authorities, in order to avoid complicity in what would constitute a serious and unprecedented human rights violation.
Signatory Organizations:
🔹 AVTT – Association of Victims of Torture – Geneva
🔹 EFDI International – Belgium
🔹 JHR – Justice for Human Rights – Turkey
🔹 Alkarama for Human Rights – Geneva
🔹 SHR – El-Shehab for Human Rights – London
🔹 CEDAR Center for Legal Studies – Lebanon
🔹 Human Rights Solidarity – Geneva
🔹 Human Rights Monitor – London
🔹 Free Voice – France
🔹 Tawasul for Human Rights – Netherlands
🔹 Egyptian Rights Council – Geneva