Egypt: Human Rights Ambassador William Nicholas Gomes Condemns Abu Deraa Detention

As documented by several human rights groups, military trials in Egypt routinely fall short of fair trial standards and violate fundamental rights of due process.

Adly Mahmoud Mansour

(WASHINGTON DC) - Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com, William Nicholas Gomes has “strongly condemned” the arrest of Sinai based journalist Ahmed Abu Deraa.

On 5 September 2013, journalist and human rights defender Mr Ahmed Abu Deraa' was arrested by the Egyptian Armed Forces in the North Sinai city of Areesh, where he is based and acts as a correspondent for independent Egyptian newspapers, including Al Masry Al Youm, and the privately owned TV network ONTV.

Both media sources are known for covering protests, reporting on human rights violations, and featuring opposition voices. Following the human rights defender's arrest in Areesh on 5 September, he is to appear before the military court in Ismailiyah, in a different province.

Military prosecutors have ordered a 15-day detention period. It remains unclear what the charges against him are. Furthermore, no justification has so far been given as to why Ahmed Abu Deraa' will appear before a military court instead of a civil court.

As documented by several human rights groups, military trials in Egypt routinely fall short of fair trial standards and violate fundamental rights of due process. Ahmed Abu Deraa' has recently openly contested reports by the Army on its activities in Sinai through posts on his Facebook page. Ahmed Abu Deraa's colleagues believe that this may be one of the reasons of his arrest. He was awarded the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press in 2013, which is awarded annually by the European Union for quality of reporting and commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

The arrest came hours after the arrest of labour lawyer and human rights defender Mr Haitham Mohamadein, who was arbitrarily detained the same day while travelling to the city of Suez to act as legal counsel to a group of workers involved in a labour case.

As of yet, it is similarly unclear what charges will be brought against Haitham Mohamadein. Front Line Defenders issued an urgent appeal on his case on 5 September 2013.

Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com, William Nicholas Gomes is concerned that the short span between the two arrests may signal an intensifying pattern of harassment against human rights defenders in the Sinai region.

Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com William Nicholas Gomes is further concerned by the apparent plan to try Ahmed Abu Deraa' in a military court, particularly considering that past military trials having been marred with irregularities, and therefore it urges the authorities to ensure that Ahmed Abu Deraa' is tried in a civilian court.

“

Adly Mahmoud Mansour Office of the President Al Ittihadia Palace Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt Your Excellency, I am William Nicholas Gomes, Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com. On 5 September 2013, journalist and human rights defender Mr Ahmed Abu Deraa' was arrested by the Egyptian Armed Forces in the North Sinai city of Areesh, where he is based and acts as a correspondent for independent Egyptian newspapers, including Al Masry Al Youm, and the privately owned TV network ONTV. Both media sources are known for covering protests, reporting on human rights violations, and featuring opposition voices. Following the human rights defender's arrest in Areesh on 5 September, he is to appear before the military court in Ismailiyah, in a different province. Military prosecutors have ordered a 15-day detention period. It remains unclear what the charges against him are. Furthermore, no justification has so far been given as to why Ahmed Abu Deraa' will appear before a military court instead of a civil court. As documented by several human rights groups, military trials in Egypt routinely fall short of fair trial standards and violate fundamental rights of due process. Ahmed Abu Deraa' has recently openly contested reports by the Army on its activities in Sinai through posts on his Facebook page. Ahmed Abu Deraa's colleagues believe that this may be one of the reasons of his arrest. He was awarded the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press in 2013, which is awarded annually by the European Union for quality of reporting and commitment to democracy and the rule of law. The arrest comes hours after the arrest of labour lawyer and human rights defender Mr Haitham Mohamadein, who was arbitrarily detained the same day while travelling to the city of Suez to act as legal counsel to a group of workers involved in a labour case. As yet, it is similarly unclear what charges will be brought against Haitham Mohamadein. I am concerned that the short span between the two arrests may signal an intensifying pattern of harassment against human rights defenders in the Sinai region. I am further concerned by the apparent plan to try Ahmed Abu Deraa' in a military court, particularly in the light of past military trials having been marred with irregularities, and therefore I urge the authorities to ensure that Ahmed Abu Deraa' is tried in a civilian court. I urge the authorities in Egypt to: Immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender Ahmed Abu Deraa', as it appears his arrest was solely motivated by his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights; Ensure that the treatment of Ahmed Abu Deraa', while in detention, adheres to all those conditions set out in the ‘Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment', adopted by UN General Assembly resolution 43/173 of 9 December 1988; Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Egypt are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment. Sincerely, William Nicholas Gomes Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com Twitter @wnicholasgomes www.williamnicholasgomes.com

”