Amnesty International
MDE 12/014/2002, 18 April 2002
Further information on UA 22/02 (MDE 12/004/2002, 24 January 2002) and follow-up (MDE 12/011/2002, 27 March 2002) – Risk of torture/ill-treatment
New concern: Prisoners of conscience
On 13 April, the five men sentenced in March to the maximum three years’ imprisonment for “habitual debauchery” were acquitted on appeal. The men, who had been in detention since mid-January, were released some two days later.
Their release follows a strong international campaign – by a wide range of individuals and organisations, including Amnesty International – on behalf of these men and others imprisoned in Egypt purely for their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
However, tens of men remain imprisoned solely on account of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. Last month a three-year prison sentence against four men charged with “habitual debauchery” was upheld on appeal by a Cairo district court.
No further action is required. Thank you to all those who sent appeals.
Amnesty International
MDE 12/011/2002, 27 March 2002
Further information on UA 22/02 (MDE 12/004/2002, 24 January 2002) – Risk of torture/ill-treatment
New concern: Prisoners of conscience
The five men, detained in January, were sentenced on 11 March, by a criminal court in Damanhour, near Alexandria, to the maximum three-year prison sentence on charges of “habitual debauchery”. Amnesty International believes that the men were convicted solely on the grounds of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and considers them to be prisoners of conscience.
The men report that they were tortured and ill-treated, including being beaten with sticks, at the police station of Damanhour’s first precinct and Damanhour Prison. They were also reportedly forced to undergo medical examinations, conducted in order to determine whether they had engaged in anal sex. Such examinations amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
The sentencing of the five men follows a pattern of arrest and detention of men for their alleged sexual orientation in Egypt. In November 2001 the Emergency State Security Court for Misdemeanours in Cairo, an exceptional court established under emergency legislation, sentenced 23 men to prison terms of between one and five years. Twenty-one were convicted of “habitual debauchery”, one of “contempt of religion” and another on both charges. Amnesty International has adopted 22 of the 23 men as prisoners of conscience and calls for their immediate and unconditional release. In February 2002, four other men were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by a criminal court for “habitual debauchery”.
Men detained for their actual or perceived sexual orientation in Egypt face a heightened risk of torture and ill-treatment in police stations, prisons and other detention centres, by members of the security forces and prison staff as well as other detainees. Detainees are at particular risk of torture and ill-treatment during the initial weeks in custody while they have only limited access to the outside world. The torture they have reported includes being beaten with a stick on the soles of the feet (known as falaka).
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Arabic or your own language:
(Time difference = GMT + 2 hours / BST + 1 hour):
His Excellency Mohammad Hosni Mubarak President of the Arab Republic of Egypt ’Abedine Palace, Cairo, Egypt Telegram: President Mubarak, Cairo, Egypt E-mail: webmaster@presidency.gov.eg Fax: 00 202 390 1998 Telex: 93794 WAZRA UN [Salutation: Your Excellency] His Excellency General Habib al-Adeli Minister of the Interior Ministry of the Interior Al-Sheikh Rihan Street Bab al-Louk, Cairo, Egypt Telegram: Minister Interior, Cairo, Egypt E-mail: moi@idsc.gov.eg Fax: 00 202 579 2031 [Salutation: Dear Minister] His Excellency Mr Faruq Sayf al-Nasr Minister of Justice Ministry of Justice Midan Lazoghly, Cairo, Egypt Telegrams: Minister Sayf al-Nasr, Cairo, Egypt E-mail: mojeb@idsc.gov.eg Fax: 00 202 795 8103 [Salutation: Dear Minister]
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Mr Adel El-Gazzar Embassy of Egypt 26 South Street London W1K 1DW Fax: 020 7491 1542
AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
Public Prosecutor Counsellor Maher ’Abd al-Wahid Dar al-Qadha al-’Ali Ramses Street, Cairo, Egypt. Fax: 00 202 577 4716
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after 8 May 2002.
If you have any queries about this Urgent Action please contact:
Nora Cranston, Amnesty International UK Section 99 – 119 Rosebery Avenue London EC1R 4RE E-mail: nora.cranston@amnesty.org.uk