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Egypt: Human rights defender Ahmad Sayed Muhammad Sayed sentenced to two years in prisonposted on: 2011/08/11

Human rights defender Mr Ahmad Sayed Muhammad Sayed was sentenced, on 3 August 2011, to two years in prison, for allegedly “inciting citizens to assemble”, and for “attacking” the leader of Al Dakhila town council. Ahmad Sayed Muhammad Sayed is a member of the Arab-European Centre of Human Rights and International Law, an independent agency, established in 2003, to promote human rights and to protect people at risk in Egypt, including victims of crimes against humanity and refugees.

Further Information

On 3 August 2011, the military court in Asyut found Ahmad Sayed Muhammad Sayed guilty of the aforementioned charges and sentenced him, along with four others, to two years in prison. Ahmad Sayed Muhammad Sayed's case was referred to the Asyut military prosecutor on 22 June 2011, and was subsequently brought before the military court under case number 2854 - 2011.

It is alleged that the trial did not comply with international fair trial standards - Ahmad Sayed Muhammad Sayed's lawyer was not allowed to call defence witnesses before the court, nor was he allowed to challenge the charges brought against his client.

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Egypt: Death threat against human rights defender Ms Nehad Abu-al-Qumsanposted on: 2011/05/12

On 2 May 2011, human rights defender and lawyer Ms Nehad Abu-al-Qumsan received an abusive letter threatening her with death should she continue with her campaign for women's rights. Nehad Abu-al-Qumsan is the Chairwoman of the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights and is currently campaigning for the reform of family laws in Egypt. This threat follows a series of internet-based and physical attacks against women by Islamists Salafis, i.e. those adopting a literal interpretation of the Qur'an and Sharia calling for the application of Islamic teachings exactly as they were adopted by prophet Muhammad and his followers. ===Further Information=== In the letter received on 2 May 2011, Nehad Abu-al-Qumsan was barraged by offensive abuse and threatened to be killed. She was ordered to desist from her ongoing campaign for the reform of family laws with a view to harmonizing them with international human rights treaties. The letter was signed by a man under the name of Seif al-Islam, or sword of Islam, who claims to be the Emir, or Governor, of Muslims in the region.

Egypt: Numerous human rights defenders detained, whereabouts unknownposted on: 2011/02/04

On 3 February 2011, numerous human rights defenders were arrested and detained by members of the military police and unknown individuals in Cairo. The location of their detention remains unknown. Those arrested include members of the Hisham Mubarak Centre for Law(HMCL), the Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR), the Front to Defend Egyptian Protesters and the *Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies(CIHRS), among others.

Further Information

It is reported that on the afternoon of 3 February 2011, the offices of the HMCL were raided by members of the military police and up to 30 individuals arrested. A large number of lawyers and members of NGOs were gathered on the premises at the time.

Among those arrested were members of the HMCL and ECESR, including their respective directors, Messrs Ahmed Seif Al-Islam Hamad and Khaled Ali, along with staff members of Amnesty International and a delegate from Human Rights Watch. In the evening of 3 February 2011, Mr Amr Sallah, a researcher for CIHRS, was arrested by unidentified officials.

Human Rights Defender abducted in Cairoposted on: 2010/09/10

Front Line is extremely concerned by the reported abduction of Human Rights Defender and researcher Amr Salah who works with the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS). Amr Salah was kidnapped in front of his home at approximately 4 am on Thursday, September 9, 2010. Neither his relatives, nor his colleagues at the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, have any information about his whereabouts. For further information see CIHRS

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Egypt: Trial of human rights defenders Messrs Ahmed Seif El-Esalm, Gamal Eid and Amr Gharbeyaposted on: 2010/05/27

The trial of human rights defenders Messrs Ahmed Seif El-Esalm, Gamal Eid and Amr Gharbeya has been adjourned until 26 June 2010.

Egypt: New draft NGO law is a blatant attempt to repress human rights defendersposted on: 2010/04/09

The Government of Egypt has submitted a new draft law on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to the Shura Council (People's Assembly) for approval. The final version of the draft is highly restrictive and, if passed, will have a detrimental impact on the work of human rights defenders in Egypt.

Egypt: Ongoing workplace intimidation of Dr Mohammad Hassan Khalil, and family members, due to his opposition to health insurance policyposted on: 2009/10/06

Human rights defender, Dr Mohammad Hassan Khalil, head of the National Right to Health Committee (NRHC), has been subjected to ongoing workplace intimidation by the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO), Egypt's public authority for health insurance, where he works as a consultant cardiologist. The NRHC is an Egyptian coalition formed by twenty organisations with the aim of defending universal and equitable access to healthcare services.

Egypt: Threat to close down the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR)posted on: 2009/05/07

Front Line is concerned following reports that the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR) received a letter from the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity on 27 April 2009 threatening to dissolve the organisation for violating the Law of Association by receiving unauthorized foreign funding. EOHR is a leading non-governmental organisation in Egypt, founded in 1985 and registered at the Ministry of Social Affairs in 2003. It has its headquarters in Cairo and has 17 provincial branches located throughout Egypt. EOHR was granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2006.

Egypt - Attacker of human rights defender Dr Magda Adly convicted whilst possible instigator of attack enjoys immunityposted on: 2009/04/03

Front Line welcomes the sentencing of Mr Ahmed Anter Ebraheem to six year's imprisonment for physically assaulting human rights defender Dr Magda Adly. However, Front Line expresses concern that the police officer accused of ordering the attack, whose identity is known to Front Line, has not been charged. Magda Adly is a medical professional and the director of the El Nadim Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence, an organisation that assists victims of torture and violence through research, training, counselling and raising public awareness.

Egypt: State harassment of human rights organisation, NOHROSposted on: 2009/01/27

Front line is concerned following information received that the National Organisation for Human Rights in eastern Egypt (NOHROS) has been subjected to harassment and suspension of state financial support. NOHROS monitored the parliamentary and municipal elections in November 2005 and April 2008, reporting wide misconduct by the authorities.

Egypt - Ongoing detention and deterioration in health of human rights defenderposted on: 2008/11/28

Front Line is deeply concerned for the continued detention and the deteriorating in health condition of Mosaad Soliman Hassan Hussein (a.k.a. Mosaad Abu Fagr) who has been in detention in Borg Al Arab prison in the Alexandria desert since his arrest on 26 December 2007. Mosaad Abu Fagr is a human rights defender, blogger and writer working on behalf of the rights of the Sinai community in Egypt. Front Line previously issued an urgent appeal concerning his arrest on 10 January 2008.

Egypt: Arbitrary detention and assault of human rights defender and journalist Kamal Muradposted on: 2008/06/25

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that human rights defender and journalist Kamal Murad was beaten by police after being arrested on 17 June 2008. Kamal Murad is a journalist for the newspaper Al-Fajr. He has reported on cases of corruption and human rights violations committed by members of the police force in Egypt.

Egypt: Travel restrictions imposed against members of human rights organisation Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)posted on: 2008/06/06

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that the Egyptian Government has prevented the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) from taking part in a United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS, due to take place on 10-11 June 2008. The EIPR was founded in 2002 to protect and promote human rights in Egypt.

Egypt: Attack on human rights defender, Dr Magda Adly, while attending hearing of victims of torture in detentionposted on: 2008/05/07

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of an attack against human rights defender, Dr Magda Adly. Dr Magda Adly is a medical professional with the El Nadim Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Victims of Violence, an organisation that assists victims of torture and violence through research, training, counselling and raising public awareness.

Egypt: Arrest of human rights defender and writer Mosaad Soliman Hassan Hussein (a.k.a. Mosaad Abu Fagr)posted on: 2008/01/11

Front Line is deeply concerned following the arrest of human rights defender, blogger and writer Mosaad Soliman Hassan Hussein (a.k.a. Mosaad Abu Fagr). He is a human rights defender working on behalf of the rights of the Sinai community in Egypt.