Egypt: Rights chief calls for immediate release of blogger and activist |
Alaa Abdel Fattah has been arrested several times over a decade for his activism around crimes committed by security forces and the use of military courts to try civilians.
“I appeal to the Government to immediately released Abdel Fattah from prison and provide him with the special medical treatment“Mr. Türk said in a statement.
Lots of fun
Mr Abdel Fattah, 40, is a dual British and Egyptian national.
The pro-democracy activist was sentenced to five years in prison in 2015 and released in March 2019, but arrested again that September.
He was then held in pre-trial detention for two years before being sentenced in December 2021 to another five years on charges of publishing false news.
In great danger
Mr. Abdel Fattah began his hunger strike in April, limiting his calorie intake, but lifted it on November 1.
He then stopped drinking last Sunday, the first day of the COP27 climate action conference, which was held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.
“Abdel Fattah is in grave danger. His thirst strikingly left his life in great danger,” said Mr. Türk.
“My office and other UN Human Rights Commissions have raised the case of Abdel Fattah and the cases of other people who have been arbitrarily given up their freedom and imprisoned after unfair trials on several occasions.”
Release all the strings
The UN rights chief noted that the return of Egypt’s Presidential Amnesty Commission has resulted in many people being released.
The commission was established in 2016 and reviews the cases of prisoners held for political crimes, according to media reports.
Mr. Türk urged the authorities to fulfill their human rights obligations and immediately release all persons who have been arbitrarily detained, including those in pre-trial detention, and individuals who have been wrongfully convicted.
“No one should be detained for exercising basic human rights or defending those of others,” he said. “I also encourage the authorities to review all laws restricting public space and limiting rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association. ”
Against the rewards
The High Commissioner also warned of possible reprisals against people supporting human rights activists, especially the family of Mr. Abdel Fattah, who is in Egypt demanding his release.
He reminded the Egyptian Government of its responsibility to protect the rights and safety of all people within its jurisdiction.
