The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Egypt.
New information:
The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the incommunicado detention of Mr. Tarek Hussein (known as Tito), human rights activist and lawyer at the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) [1].
According to the information received, on July 9, 2017, authorities reported that Mr. Tarek Hussein who had disappeared since July 4, 2017 (see background information) was held at Giza Central Prison.
Following the announcement, Mr. Tarek Hussein’s family went to Giza Central Prison to see him but the prison’s administration denied his family a visit and did not provide his lawyer or family any reason for his detention. In addition, they were given Mr. Tarek Hussein’s clothes, torn apart.
The Observatory recalls that on July 4, 2017, Mr. Tarek Hussein was set to be transferred to Imbaba Police Station. However, Imbaba Police Station denied Mr. Tarek Hussein’s presence within their premises.
As of publication of this appeal, neither his relatives nor his lawyers have been able to see Mr. Tarek Hussein in detention.
Following two unanswered complaints filed by Mr. Tarek Hussein’s family and the Lawyers’ Syndicate, another complaint was filed by Tarek’s lawyers on July 11, 2017, before Giza’s General Prosecutor on similar grounds. On July 13, 2017, the head of Giza Prosecution orally confirmed he will sent an inquiry to Imbaba Police Station and promised to pursue formal inquiries on Mr. Tarek Hussein’s whereabouts as well as on the legal procedures pending against him and try to ensure family and lawyers’ visit.
Mr. Tarek Hussein was first arrested on June 17, 2017 and later accused of “joining an illegal organization” and “calling for a protest”. The following day, he was granted provisional release on bail but remained detained (see background information).
The Observatory remains extremely concerned over the incommunicado detention of Mr. Tarek Hussein and consequently urges the Egyptian authorities to immediately disclose his whereabouts and allow him access to his lawyer and family.
The Observatory further urges Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Tarek Hussein as his detention is arbitrary and only aims at sanctioning his peaceful and legitimate human rights activities. Continue
