Egypt: a prominent opponent under arrest
| Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
| Publication Date | 10 April 2008 |
| Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, Egypt: a prominent opponent under arrest, 10 April 2008, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/482c5c0919.html [accessed 7 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
10/04/2008
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) express their deepest concern regarding the arrest of George Ishak, a prominent opposition activist and former leader of the Kifaya movement, after the movement backed a nationwide strike earlier this week.
On the night of April 9, Ishak was arrested by police forces at home and some of his personal documents and books were confiscated. He was presented to State Security Prosecution on April 10 and charged with "conspiring with others to incite protest with the intention of committing crimes which violate rights of individuals, public property, and the use of violence and force to prevent the public authorities to perform their work".
Egyptian authorities seem to be targeting the opposition, particularly the Kifaya movement due to its involvement in the April 6 strike. Another member of Kifaya in the Governorate of Gharbiya, Fathy El Hifnawy, was also arrested last night.
The strike scheduled on April 6 was intended to express protest for rising prices but, due to strong control exercised by the police, the participation at the national level was lower than initially expected by organizing opposition groups, that include Kifaya. Crackdown by the police on April 6 strikes and protests occurred in other parts of Egypt, particularly in Mahallah, Northern Egypt, where 85 demonstrators have been arrested and sent to neighboring Tanta for investigation purposes.
FIDH and EOHR express concern as the Egyptian authority had initially refused to allow lawyers into the State Security Prosecution Office to meet with Ishak, a decision which it later reversed. Our organisations also denounce the arrest and charges held against Ishak which attempt to punish citizens for exercising their right to freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression and their right to strike.
FIDH and EOHR call upon the Egyptian authorities to:
i- immediately release George Ishak and other people arrested following their peaceful participation in a strike;
ii- put an end to all forms of infringements faced by opposition movements including the Kifaya movement and any other group, organization or person seen to be associated with the April 6 strike;
iii- ensure the respect of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in accordance with Egypt's international obligations and conform with provisions of Article 8 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to which Egypt is a party, which reads that the State Party must ensure the right to strike, provided it is exercised in conformity with Egyptian law.
