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Press Release, 28-9-2003
While the National Democratic Party (NDP) convenes its annual conference: “New Thought. The rights of citizens” and in an unprecedented move, the residents of Sakeyet Mekky, Giza were surprised when they received a notification from Electricity Police that they have to pay the electricity bills with cleaning fees included, or face a complete blackout. A law enforcement force already came and the electricity was cut off in a number of houses and businesses including a dentist clinic. The residents got panic and felt helpless towards this unjust procedure, which did not consider the harsh conditions in which Egyptians live, embodied in the absence of social justice and security, as well as the declined life standard for the sweeping majority of people. These conditions are well known and clearly simplified in the suicide of a man who could not afford to buy school uniforms for his children few days ago. The Association for Human Rights Legal Aid (AHRLA) received on Sunday 28 September 2003 a complaint from the residents of the area to immediately intervene and stop the procedures taken by Giza Electricity Company that imposed a blackout for not paying electricity bills with the cleaning fees included, which Giza governerate posed by force without any legal base. AHRLA immediately responded to the appeal of the affected residents. Lawyers and the team of fieldwork moved to them to provide the legal aid and closely follow up the developments. Official authorizations are being signed to enable AHRLA take the needed legal procedures and filing a communiqué to the attorney general and the concerned bodies to reconsider the issue of reconnecting the area and lifting the injustice from the affected residents. AHRLA expresses deep dissatisfaction of the unjust and haste procedure, which reveals the irresponsible attitude of the law enforcement bodies, unaware of the consequences of such movements, which put much burdens on citizens and destroys any possible settlement called for by the government. AHRLA condemns this provoking procedure and calls for Giza Electricity Company to stop, especially as the addition of cleaning fees to electricity bills according to the level of consumption is not confirmed by a judicial order yet. AHRLA also calls for stopping all violations committed on daily basis, and the increasing and unprecedented economic burdens to citizens. |