The Human Rights Actions Network
www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/
ACTION REQUEST
Case EGY 280799
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your urgent intervention
in the following situation in Egypt.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed of the grave
concerns over the repeated detention, deteriorating health and denial of
appropriate medical treatment of detainee, Mr. Talaat Mohammed
Ibrahim, by the Egyptian authorities.
According to the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR),
member of the OMCT network, his family has reported that as a result of
spinal pains, Mr. Talaat Mohammed Ibrahim cannot move.
It is alleged that in spite of his condition, the prison administration has
refused to admit him to hospital or provide necessary medication or
treatment. When an EOHR lawyer visited him in prison on 19 July 1999,
Talaat Ibrahim had to be carried by two prisoners. He was unable to
speak, his breathing was short and shallow and he looked extremely
weak. During the five minutes allowed for the visit, the lawyer attempted
to communicate with him by signs, but Talaat could not respond as he
was totally unable to move his hands.
The EOHR further reports that since his detention on 7 January 1994,
Talaat Ibrahim has been held in
several prisons before being transferred to Damanhour prison, where he
is currently held in detention. Despite judicial rulings ordering his
release, the Ministry of Interior has consistently re-detained him.
According to his family, after each verdict he would be taken to a police
station and held there for 15 days before being sent back to prison.
OMCT shares the concerns of the EOHR and urges that the competent
authorities ensure appropriate medical treatment and order his release
not only because of his grave medical condition, but equally in the light
of the many judicial rulings ordering his release.
His release on health grounds is permitted under article 36 of Egyptian
Law 396/1956 on prisons, which states that"In case the prison doctor
learns that a convict is inflicted with a disease that would jeopardize his
life or cause him total disability, he shall present the case to the director
of the Medical Department of Prisons to be examined, in association with
the forensic doctor, and consider his release".
It further would be in accordance with international minimum rulesRule
22/2 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of
Prisoners, adopted by the United Nations Economic and Social Council
in 1977 states"Sick prisoners who require specialist treatment shall be
transferred to specialized institutions or to civil hospitals."
Action requested
Please write to the authorities of Egypt requesting them to
i take immediate measures to guarantee the physical and
psychological integrity of Mr. Talaat Mohammed Ibrahim
ensuring that he receive urgent medical care including
examination by the prison doctor and a forensic doctor in
conformity with national law, and should the examination show
that he needs specialized treatment, ensure immediate access to
such facilities in conformity with national law;
ii. release Mr. Atif Ali Farghaly as ordered by the judiciary and on
medical grounds in accordance with national law;
iii more generally take steps to improve the conditions of all
prisoners detained in Egyptian detention facilities in conformity
with international instruments including the United Nations
Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners
v. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and
international human rights standards.
Addresses
His Excellency Mohammad Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab
Republic of Egypt, ´Abedine Palace, Cairo, Egypt. Telex 93794 WAZRA
UN
His Excellency General Hassan al-Afly, Minister of the Interior, Ministry
of the Interior, Al-Sheikh Rihan Street, bab al-Louk, Cairo, Egypt. Telex
21361 MOICM UN - Fax + 202 355 7792
His Excellency Mr. Faruq Sayf Al-Nasr, Minister of Justice, Ministry of
Justice, Midan
Lazoghly, Cairo, Egypt. Fax + 202 355 8103
The Egyptian embassy in your respective countries
Geneva, 28 July 1999
Kindly inform us of any action taken quoting the exact number of
this appeal in your reply
