Protest the Arrest and Torture of Egyptian Anti-War Demonstrators in Egypt

Protest the Arrest and Torture of Egyptian Anti-War Demonstrators in Egypt

Just received word from a human rights workers in Egypt that Gamal Eid has just been detained and tortured by the Egyptian police. These human rights workers saw him today at the military court, and told us he needs medical treatment immediately. We were just told he was arrested along with hundreds others who were demonstrating against the war last weekend in Cairo. Human Rights Watch has reported on the arrests at http://www.hrw.org/press/2003/03/egypt032403.htm.

It would be very helpful to fax a note to the Egyptian embassy in Washington, DC (fax 202 244-5131, 202-244-4319, phone 202 895 5400.) A fax to any Egyptian consulate (in LA or SF or Boston) is just as good. Gamal's friends are flooding the consulates and embassy with faxes--letting them know they cannot torture our friends in darkness. We hope that the others being held, who do not have friends abroad, will also be helped by this campaign--torturers tend to hold back when they learn that their actions are being watched.

I'm attaching a letter that can be used--it's very brief, which is best for this case. We want to get the Egyptian government to get them doctors ASAP. Getting him released is another matter--we may not have much power here.

Thanks--and if you have any friends you think would be sympathetic, please feel free to forward this along.

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SAMPLE LETTER
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Dear Mr. Ambassador,

I have just learned that my friend and colleague, Gamal Abdel Aziz Eid, was arrested following peaceful demonstrations in Cairo last Saturday. According to eyewitnesses at his hearing today, Mr. Eid has been beaten and tortured by State Security officers while being held. Those witnesses also say that he, along with others being held, is in urgent need of medical care.

As an internationally-known human rights lawyer, Mr. Eid is familiar with the systematic use of torture against critics of the Mubarak regime. It is both ironic and wrong that he is now being subjected to the very kinds of abuses against which he has so often fought. What, except intimidation, is to be gained by torturing a professional lawyer whose career is dedicated to representing torture victims? Mr. Eid’s imprisonment and torture is not unique. It is part of a wider pattern of abuse against political opponents. But it is more than a little disturbing to think that the Egyptian government is now extending this pattern to include legal activists.

Need I remind you that Egypt is a signatory to numerous international treaties which outlaw the use of torture and unfair imprisonment. With this in mind, I expect you, as an official of the Egyptian government, to take this allegation of state torture seriously. I also demand that Mr. Eid be given medical attention immediately for the injuries he has suffered at the hands of State Security officers. Finally, I demand that Mr. Eid be released immediately.

Respectfully,