The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) condemns the verdict issued on Monday 7 August in case no. 8473/2013, before Minya Criminal Court, commonly known as the “Storming Matai Police Station” case, in which 12 defendants were sentenced to death and 119 others were sentenced to life in prison, 110 of which are currently in detention, although not all were present in court.
Files: Capital Punishment
The signatories condemn all violations of the rights of the defense, and the defendants' right to a fair trial, as stipulated in article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The forced disappearance of the defendants contravenes article 40 of Egypt’s Penal Code, which stipulates that, “No one shall be arrested or imprisoned except by an order of the competent authorities, and shall be treated in a manner that protects human dignity and may not be harmed physically or morally.”
EIPR reasserts that the increasing use of death sentences by the Egyptian state as a form of punishment in cases of terrorism or cases labeled as ‘political,’ following trials that do not meet the standards of a fair trial, is far from being a seemingly efficient method of facing violence.
In March 2014, a first-instance court in Minya issued a preliminary decision sentencing 529 people to death. In April of the same year, the same court issued a preliminary decision sentencing 683 people to death. Preliminary death sentences are not final until approved by the Mufti of Egypt and then the criminal court finally confirms them (while it still retains discretion to change the verdict after it has been approved by the Mufti).
The undersigned organizations strongly condemn Cairo University’s decision to terminate Prof. Kholoud Saber’s scholarship abroad and its order for her to return to Egypt.
The undersigned organizations strongly condemn the decision of the 24th circuit of the Giza Felony Court to extend the detention of high-school student Mahmoud Mohammed for another 45 days in connection with case no. 715/2014/Marg administrative.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights demands the release of photojournalist Omar Abd al-Maqsoud and Ibrahim and Anas and urges the prosecution to investigate complaints of torture and involuntary disappearance filed by the family.
This year, on the occasion of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, we join in extending our condolences to the global Armenian community for the mass extermination campaign against them in 1915, which is commemorated annually on April 24th.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights monitored with growing concern the sectarian attacks and security abuses seen in the Minya governorate
The undersigned organizations strongly condemn the torture and collective punishments taking place in Egyptian prison
