Press Release
The “Committee for Justice” (CFJ) has monitored the Egyptian authorities’ continued use of enforced disappearance against Salma Abdel-Mageed Abdullah, a 28-year-old pharmacist, and Shaimaa Taha Abdel-Hamid Morsy, a 29-year-old science graduate. Both women were arbitrarily detained from their homes in Mansoura, Dakahlia Governorate, on November 3, 2024.
Despite 55 days having passed since the incident, the authorities have not disclosed their place of detention or presented them to any judicial body, violating constitutional and legal guarantees.
– Assault and Abduction to an Unknown Location:
The Committee reported that the families of Salma and Shaimaa were shocked when a National Security-affiliated force stormed their homes in the early hours of the morning. The raid was conducted without presenting any legal warrant for search or arrest.
During the raid, family members were subjected to physical and verbal abuse, with the officers employing threats and force to subdue them. In addition to damaging household property, the security forces terrorized the residents before taking Salma and Shaimaa to an undisclosed location.
Salma Abdel-Mageed is a government hospital pharmacist, while Shaimaa Taha holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Cairo University. Both have no prior criminal records or associations justifying such arbitrary treatment. Since their arrest, their families and lawyers have been unable to ascertain their whereabouts, raising serious concerns about their physical and psychological well-being amidst the complete absence of legal procedures to protect their rights.
– Calls for Disclosure and Immediate Release:
CFJ emphasizes that this case reflects a systematic policy by Egyptian authorities to use enforced disappearance as a tool to suppress dissent or individuals suspected of opposition, without legal grounds. Targeting women in this instance raises grave concerns about the authorities’ adherence to national laws and international standards that safeguard women against violence and abuse.
CFJ condemns this incident, asserting that the continued disappearance of Salma Abdel-Mageed and Shaimaa Taha constitutes a severe violation of the Egyptian Constitution, which guarantees personal freedom and security. The committee also contravenes Egypt’s international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
CFJ calls on the Egyptian authorities to immediately disclose the whereabouts of Salma and Shaimaa, ensure their prompt release, or present them before an impartial and independent judicial body to conduct a fair and transparent investigation into the circumstances of their detention.
