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Press release : 23/5/2001
The Association for Human Rights Legal Aid:
"The judgments against Ibn Khaldoun Center are an effort to frighten civil society activists" The Association for Human Rights Legal Aid (AHRLA) followed with grave concern the exceptional trial sessions to which Dr. Saad El Din Ibrahim, Director of the Ibn Khaldoun Center for Developmental Studies, was subjected, along with his colleagues, and that ended with a seven year sentence for the Professor. The charges included disseminating false information harmful to Egypt's interest, accepting foreign funds without authorization and embezzlement. These 'loose' charges could be used against anyone considered by the government to have exceeded the activities permissible for civil and political activists. This is what the Association believes to be at the heart of the Saad El Din case. The court's decision was principally based on Saad El Din's breaching of the military ruling concerning fundraising. This is in blatant contravention of all international human rights agreements to which the Egyptian government is party, raising concerns that this case is being used to discourage any future attempts at monitoring the election process. AHRLA expresses its respect for the judicial authorities who continue to play an important role in protecting the freedom of civilians. The Association however confirms its absolute rejection of all types of exceptional trials that compromise the right of citizens to be tried under normal conditions, according to article 68 of the constitution. This is especially so in light of the conditions presiding in national security courts, not least among which is the choice of the judges themselves. AHRLA calls upon the President of the Republic to cancel all forms of exceptional trials. The Association likewise calls upon all members of civil society to work together in reviewing articles of the penal code, the language of which is purposefully vague, allowing their use in a number of varied |