Articles for Egypt

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had stated in September 2008 that the detention of Mr Al Shatter and those detained with him, was arbitrary and that they should be released.

The Committee against Torture is mandated to periodically review implantation of the rights contained in the international Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Egypt acceded on 25 June 1986.

Starting on 25 January 2011, Egypt erupted in mass peaceful protests calling for democratic change and the immediate resignation of the President Hosni Mubarak. After 18 days of protests, he resigned and turned over all power to the military on 11 February 2011.

At 15 o'clock Egyptian time, Military Police accompanied by unidentified men in civilian clothes entered the offices of the Hisham Mubarak Law Center in Souk Al Tawfiqia street, Cairo, and arrested more than 20 members of Egyptian and international NGOs. These people were members of the Committee for the Defense of the Egypt Protesters. As they were arrested they were beaten by the men taking them away, and their phones and other office equipment was confiscated.

Those arrested include:

Among the victims of the arrest were:
- Ahmad Seif Al Islam (Hisham Mubarak Law Center)
- Mona Al Masry (Hisham Mubarak Law Center)

We, civil society organizations from across the world, strongly urge all governments, as well as regional and international organizations, to clearly and unequivocally denounce the ongoing violent crackdown against the public protests and demands for democratic reform and government accountability that have been occurring across Egypt since the 25th of January.

Alkarama is concerned by the disproportionate use of force by the security forces against the demonstrators in Egypt, which has lead to numerous deaths among the demonstrators. Having completely cut internet access and practicing severe censorship on all forms of media, the Egyptian authorities are trying hard to avoid disclosure any information about ongoing violations. Demonstrations erupted three days ago throughout Egypt calling for democratic political change and the departure of President Hosni Mubarak.