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Situation of human rights defenders and activists in Egypt
20 April - 9 May 2021
EuroMed Rights will present its research "Return Mania. Mapping policies and practices in the EuroMed region". The panel discussions and Q&A will revolve around the different policies and practices of forced returns from Italy to Tunisia and Egypt and the human rights violations that these practices could entail. The situation of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Italy, Tunisia and Egypt will be assessed. Interpretation in English and Italian will be provided. You can register here.
Egyptian government increases use of death penalty 

On Sunday 9 May, the Egyptian government carried out the execution of Coptic monk Wael Tawadros, known as Father Isaiah, at Damanhour Prison. His family was informed of his death after the execution, in violation of legal procedure. On 30 April, Egyptian human rights organisations released a joint statement to denounce the Egyptian government’s increased implementation of the death penalty. This acceleration in the pace of mass executions is unprecedented, and it contravenes the established practice of not carrying out executions during the month of Ramadan. According to Amnesty International’s 2020 report on death penalty, Egypt ranks third in the world after China and Iran.  

ARRESTS, TRIALS AND INVESTIGATIONS

Detention renewal of lawyer Mohab el-Ebrashi renewed 

On 4 May, Cairo Criminal Court renewed the detention of human rights lawyer Mohab El-Ebrashi for 45 days in case 1898/2019. He is charged with joining a terrorist group and spreading false news and information. 


 Detention renewal of human rights lawyer Zyad El-Elaimy & journalists Hisham Fouad and Hossam Moanes adjourned 

On 3 May, Cairo Criminal Court adjourned the detention renewal of human rights lawyer Zyad El-Elaimy and journalists Hisham Fouad and Hossam Moanes in case 930/2019 in which they face charges of joining a terrorist group and publishing false news. 

Zyad el-Elaimy is a human rights lawyer, former parliamentarian, and a leader of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party. He is a renowned figure of the 2011 uprising, initiating the 25 January Revolution Youth Coalition and delivering speeches in Tahrir square to mobilise Egyptian citizens to stand up for democracy and against injustice. 


Detention renewal for human rights lawyer Amr Imam adjourned 

On 2 May, Cairo Criminal Court adjourned the detention renewal of human rights lawyer Amr Imam in case 488/2020. He is charged with joining a terrorist group, misusing social media and publishing false news. 

Amr Imam is a human rights lawyer with the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information. 


Detention renewal of human rights lawyer Mohamed al-Baqer & blogger and human rights activist Alaa Abdel Fattah 

On 1 May, Cairo Criminal Court renewed the detention of human rights lawyer Mohamed al-Baqer, and blogger and activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah for 45 days in case 1356/2019. They face charges of joining and funding a terrorist group and publishing false news.   

Alaa Abdel Fattah is an Egyptian activist, blogger and software engineer who has been at the forefront of the struggle for change in Egypt for many years. He has the distinction of having been arrested not only during Mubarak's rule but also by the different regimes that have ruled Egypt since the 2011 revolution. His sister Sanaa Seif was sentenced on 17 March to 18 months in prison after she tried to visit him in June 2020. 

Mohamed el-Baqer is a human rights lawyer and director of Adalah Center for Rights and Freedoms. In November 2020, he was placed on the terrorism list for a period of five years.


   Detention of human rights lawyer Sayed el-Banna and publisher Ayman Abdel Moaty renewed 

On 27 April, Cairo Criminal Court renewed the detention of human rights lawyer Sayed el-Banna and publisher Ayman Abdel Moaty for 45 days in case 880/2020. They face charges of joining a terrorist group, inciting to protest, misusing social media and publishing false news. 


Detention renewal for human rights lawyer Mohamed Ramadan adjourned 

On 25 April, Cairo Criminal Court adjourned the detention renewal of human rights lawyer Mohamed Ramadan in case 467/2020. He is charged with joining a terrorist group.  

Mohamed Ramadan’s health condition has significantly deteriorated during his pretrial detention in the Tora prison since 2018. He suffers from high blood pressure. In April 2021, he reported to the prison authorities about his health problems, but he was refused medical assistance. On 8 May 2021, 9 Egyptian human rights organisations released a joint statement to the Egyptian Ministry of Interior to denounce Mohamed Ramadan’s denial to health care and to ask to drop all charges against him.  

Mohamed Ramadan is a human rights lawyer for the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI). He has used his legal expertise to defend human rights activists and political prisoners in Egypt. He has also worked on cases of torture in police stations. Mohamed Ramadan was arrested in December 2018 possessing pamphlets and yellow vests to call for protests against the government (similar to the ‘Yellow Vest’ protests in France). 


Detention renewal for blogger Mohamed Oxygen & activist Sameh Seoudi adjourned 

On 25 April, Cairo Criminal Court adjourned the detention renewal of blogger Mohamed Ibrahim Radwan (known as Mohamed Oxygen) & activist Sameh Seoudi in case 855/2020.  They are charged with joining a terrorist group. 

Mohamed Oxygen, was first arrested on 6 April 2018, is an Egyptian blogger and employee in a publishing house who, in addition to his blog, runs a Facebook page and a Youtube channel called Oxygen Egypt where he publishes reports on human rights issues and interviews with human rights activists, opposition figures and public personalities. 

The crackdown of the Egyptian authorities on civil society organisations, journalists, and political dissidents has dramatically worsened since the military seized power in July 2013.

EuroMed Rights, in partnership with ANHRI aims to inform an interested audience at the EU level and in European/international media about the specific targeting of human rights defenders and activists in the country, as well as prisoners of conscience and defenders of freedom of expression.

If you wish to obtain more information on individual cases, you can visit EuroMed Rights' Egypt information website or send an e-mail to: egypt@euromedrights.net
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