The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has condemned the continued targeting of human rights defenders by Egyptian authorities, describing it as a blatant violation of international and United Nations human rights standards. It also highlights the disregard for the Egyptian constitution and national law. The authorities are accused of exploiting legal loopholes to prolong pretrial detention and restrict activists, raising concerns about Egypt’s commitment to its international obligations and constitutional guarantees for fundamental rights and freedoms. These practices not only threaten individuals but underscore the severe deterioration of the human rights environment in the country.
In recent years, Egypt has escalated its crackdown on human rights defenders, employing unfair exceptional courts (terrorism/military) that lack clear evidence or transparent investigations. Pretrial detention has been used as a punitive tool, while the “recycling” of cases ensures prolonged detention without fair trials. Below are some cases illustrating the depth of Egypt’s human rights crisis:
– Unfair Prosecutions:
- Human rights defender: Ibrahim Metwally
Ibrahim Metwally, a lawyer and human rights defender, began his advocacy after his son, Amr, disappeared in July 2013 during the Republican Guard events. Metwally co-founded the “Association of Families of the Disappeared” to demand accountability for enforced disappearances, which made him a target for authorities.
In September 2017, Metwally was arrested at Cairo Airport while traveling to Geneva to attend a UN session on enforced disappearances. Instead of being allowed to exercise his right to seek justice, he faced charges of “leading a terrorist group” and “financing terrorism.” Over seven years in detention, Metwally endured severe abuse, including torture at state security premises and inhumane conditions at the Tora High-Security Prison. His health deteriorated significantly, suffering from an enlarged prostate and denial of adequate medical care.
Metwally’s case has been recycled into three separate cases with similar charges but no clear evidence. Despite a previous court order for his release, he remains arbitrarily detained.
- Lawyer Nabil Abu Sheikha:
Lawyer and human rights advocate Nabil Abu Sheikha, 54, was arrested in April 2022 and accused of spreading false news and belonging to a terrorist group. He was targeted for his rights-based advocacy and open criticism of media practices, including the “Al-Ikhtiyar” TV series, which he described as distorting facts.
Despite his critical health condition, including heart disease and high blood pressure, he received inadequate medical care. While in custody, he underwent open-heart surgery and was later transferred to Badr Prison Hospital after having a cardiac stent implanted. Despite exceeding the legal pretrial detention period, he has been referred for trial under Case No. 93 of 2022, which involves 58 detainees in pretrial detention.
- Lawyer Imam Mahmoud Imam El-Shafei:
Imam El-Shafei, a lawyer and human rights defender, was arrested in December 2021 after leaving his office in Hehia, Al Sharqia Governorate. After nearly three years in detention without trial, he was referred to trial under Case No. 2976 of 2021 amid widespread rights-based criticism of targeting lawyers and detaining them without clear legal grounds.
- Lawyer Atef Abd El-Samie Ibrahim Abu Talib:
Lawyer Atef Abu Talib was arrested in December 2021 after attending a session with political detainees at the Public Prosecution. Like others, he faces vague charges of “joining a terrorist group” and “spreading false news.” He remains detained under Case No. 2976 of 2021.
- Lawyer Osama Bayoumi:
Human rights lawyer Osama Bayoumi has faced multiple cases since his first arrest in 2018. Despite receiving a release order in his initial case, he was rearrested under three new cases with identical charges. Most recently, he was referred to trial under Case No. 2976 of 2021.
- Lawyer Tarek Shoman:
Tarek Shoman, a former member of the Bar Association in Menoufia, has been detained since 2021. He was recently referred to trial under Case No. 2976 of 2021, which includes multiple human rights lawyers and defenders.
– Recycled detention cases:
- Lawyer Huda Abd El-Moneim:
Prominent lawyer and human rights advocate Huda Abd El-Moneim was arrested in November 2018 and spent five years in prison under fabricated charges in Case No. 1552 of 2018. Despite completing her sentence, she was added to a new case (No. 730 of 2020) with identical charges. This month, CFJ recorded her being investigated in yet another case (No. 800 of 2019). Abd El-Moneim suffers from severe health conditions, including kidney failure and diabetes, but is held in inhumane conditions without adequate medical care.
- Human rights defender Aisha El-Shater:
Aisha El-Shater, a rights advocate and daughter of senior Muslim Brotherhood leader Khairat El-Shater, was arrested in 2018 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Despite being in custody, she was recently implicated in Case No. 800 of 2019 with charges of “joining an unlawful group.”
– Urgent human rights demands:
The Committee for Justice calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained human rights defenders who have been arbitrarily arrested or detained without legal grounds. CFJ emphasizes that trials must adhere to international standards of fairness and that the judiciary should not be exploited as a tool for repression.
The committee also urges the Egyptian authorities to end the prolonged use of pretrial detention, halt systematic case recycling practices, and review all cases against rights defenders to ensure compliance with fair trial guarantees.
Additionally, CFJ stresses the need to improve detention conditions to align with national laws and international standards. Many detainees face inhumane conditions, including medical neglect, solitary confinement, and denial of basic needs. Independent local and international human rights organizations should be allowed to inspect prisons and monitor conditions.
CFJ also calls on the international community, including the UN, regional organizations, and concerned governments, to pressure Egypt to meet its international human rights obligations. Stronger measures, including public condemnation and accountability mechanisms such as targeted sanctions against those responsible for violations, are essential. Egypt must also be urged to sign and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.