Egypt shows scant regard for justice with death sentences for activists

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/16/egyptian-judiciary-scant-justice-death-sentences

Version 0 of 1.

Controversy over the Guardian’s recent reporting of the “al-Jazeera three” case and Amal Clooney’s work should not be allowed to obscure further evidence that the Egyptian judiciary continues to act in a manner that shows scant regard for any recognisable principles of justice (Amal Clooney risked arrest over report on Egypt’s legal flaws, 3 January). A few days ago the Egyptian prosecutor general issued a decision seizing the assets of 112 people who, he claims, are members or supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which the Egyptian government designated a terrorist organisation in a separate ruling. No evidence to back up either of these claims has so far been tested in court. Courts continue to condemn hundreds to death in rushed hearings described by Human Rights Watch as “blatantly unjust”.

The real political purpose of the seizure of assets is revealed by the inclusion on the list of Haitham Mohamedain and Hisham Fouad of the Revolutionary Socialists, Amr Ali of the 6th April Youth Movement and Khaled el-Sayyed from the Youth for Justice and Freedom Movement, all outspoken opponents of the regime and members of left and liberal groups.

They are activists who have fought tirelessly to defend ordinary Egyptians from repression by the state, including the thousands of political prisoners who experience torture and abuse in detention centres, as exposed by the Guardian in June last year ( Hundreds of ‘disappeared’ tortured in Egypt’s secret jail, 23 June 2014).

We stand in solidarity with Hisham, Haitham, Khaled, Ali and all other Egyptian activists who are facing judicial persecution as a result of their political opposition to the military regime. We call on the Egyptian judiciary to repeal the death sentences and prosecutions under the anti-protest law passed since the military seized power in July 2013.Ken Loach film directorTed Honderich professor emeritus, University College LondonEamonn McCann NUJBilly Hayes general secretary, Communication Workers UnionHenry Blaxland QC, University of CambridgeBashir Abu-Manneh lecturer, University of KentProfessor Gilbert Achcar SOAS, University of LondonProfessor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam SOAS, University of LondonProfessor Nadje Al-Ali SOAS, University of LondonAnne Alexander research fellow, University of CambridgeProfessor Raymond Bush University of LeedsProfessor Alex Callinicos King’s College LondonProfessor Peter Hallward Kingston UniversityAdam Hanieh senior lecturer, SOAS, University of LondonTom Hickey University of BrightonDina Matar senior lecturer, SOAS, University of LondonKarma Nabulsi associate professor, University of OxfordProfessor Alfredo Saad Filho SOAS, University of LondonMohamed-Salah Omri associate professor, University of OxfordRuba Salih reader, SOAS, University of LondonAlberto Toscano reader, Goldsmiths, University of LondonProfessor Salwa Ismail SOAS, University of London