Transcription
NG works very closely with the Arab Organization for Human Rights in the UK, which is represented today by Moham Jamil. We also have Dram from the Egyptian Revolutionary Council, who will be addressing some of the political issues, and we have the Freedom Justice Party speaking.
All who are at the conference, thank you. Despite there being clear breaches of international law, there is still no outright condemnation of the current Egyptian military regime, nor are any steps being taken to address the current situation since the UN's call for Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to respect and support democracy and basic freedoms.
These countries, which consider themselves protectors of these rights, believe they are capable of entering into trade relations with a state that ignores all these principles that should be upheld. After the military coup in July 2013, the state and the army killed many peaceful protesters in the Rabaa incident. Hundreds died simply because they exercised their right to peaceful demonstration.
The state resorted to torture and detention, but the international community remained silent in the face of all this. Despite the significant violations, the military regime continues to ignore the rule of law and democratic principles, as it still relies on the judiciary to determine the fate of hundreds through resorting to the death penalty.
To date, 1,665 individuals have been referred to the Mufti, including the ousted President Mohamed Morsi, and seven among them have been executed so far. These sentences came after mass trials that reminded us of the trials that took place during Stalin's era.
In some cases, it was revealed that those sentenced to death had already died previously. On the 10th of May 2014, Mohamed Bakri Haroun, Hani Mustafa, Amin Gamal, Ali Afifi, Abdul Rahman, Abdul Rahman Said Rizk, and Khaled Farag were killed after being convicted by the military court.
In other cases, Mohamed Rahman Abdul Ayy was executed on the 7th of March 2015. The use of the death penalty to eliminate political opposition escalates acts of violence. It is clear that basic freedoms and human rights are being suppressed, and thus those who are oppressed will seek other means to obtain their rights.
In light of this background and considering the criticisms faced by human rights entities, the international community must demand change instead of the approach it has adopted by signing numerous trade agreements and allocating hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid and providing military support internationally.
We are holding this general conference, and it is expected that a ruling will be issued concerning 122 civilians because they exercised their democratic and constitutional rights. The Arab Organization for Human Rights in the UK calls on the international community, particularly the UK, the USA, and the European Union, to condemn the actions of the military regime that constitute international crimes and to suspend all military and defense aid.
Immediate actions must be taken to prevent any second death sentence. We condemn the prevention of Egyptian civilians from enjoying their rights, condemn the disregard for the rule of law, and demand a serious and transparent investigation into the human rights violations committed by police and military personnel. We call for the return of Egypt to a democratic system.
Thank you. Before I address some legal issues and discuss how to deal with these human rights violations, I would like to urge the international community to act according to its obligations.
I will read a quick statement from Jeremy Corbyn, who wanted to be present today but, unfortunately, had other commitments that prevented him from joining us.
I apologize for not being able to be with you today as I am at a press conference in Bahrain. I am angry about the sentences and the condemnation faced by many individuals in Egypt. I am outraged by the arrest of journalists and the prohibition of protests.
All democracies in the world should allow for a plurality of freedoms, a plurality of opinions, and freedoms of expression and access to justice. What you heard in the press conference concerns us regarding the path taken by the military regime in Egypt.
What we have heard is a series of human rights violations that include torture, deaths in custody, and especially mass death sentences. All of this can be considered a distortion of justice. We are witnessing a case where the Mufti is reviewing 122 cases, and he will have to read long pages to consider these cases in a very short time.
This is a matter of concern for everyone who cares about the rule of law and democracy. It is the duty of the international community to ensure Egypt returns to a democratic path so that the Egyptian people can choose their leader under any circumstances.
We are witnessing conditions far worse than any period Egypt has seen. The regime suppresses any form of expression. Judges issue sentences, and they are also guilty of any death sentence because it constitutes an illegal execution.
Judges have previously faced cases and have been sentenced for issuing death sentences. Judges in Egypt must know that their duty is to apply the rule of law and respect the law instead of listening to orders to condemn others after trials that lasted only minutes.
These individuals did not receive proper consultations and were unable to present any defense arguments. These trials, as my colleague described, are similar to what happened during Stalin's era.
It is very important to document these cases and investigate everyone involved in these joint criminal acts. Do not forget that these are international crimes, crimes against humanity committed by the state. It is crucial to document this properly and to issue sentences against the guilty.
The general Sisi and others involved must be referred to the International Criminal Court. Unfortunately, this court has no jurisdiction, but it must be ensured that these individuals are prosecuted. We may not witness that today or tomorrow, but we will certainly hold accountable those responsible for these crimes.
How Sisi came to power illegally confirms that Egypt will return to democracy, and those responsible will be held accountable. We are actively working with our colleagues in the Arab Organization for Human Rights and other organizations to document these crimes to ensure there is sufficient evidence in court.
We all hope and await the day when these individuals will be prosecuted and held accountable. Thank you very much.
The sentences issued today, but what does that mean for the international community and for millions of Egyptians who know that this regime is illegitimate? What it means is that whatever the decision or ruling issued after these trials is an illegitimate ruling because it was issued by a regime that came to power through a military coup that imposed its orders on the judiciary to achieve its political interests.
Therefore, on behalf of millions of Egyptians, I believe that this regime is illegitimate. The trial is illegitimate and will not be recognized under any legitimate circumstances. The elected President Mohamed Morsi stands with his colleagues and all the Egyptian people to confront the military regime.
What we should focus on is the nature of this regime that struggles to maintain its legitimacy in the eyes of the Egyptian people. The opposition against this regime is increasing, and thus this regime is intensifying its repression.
It has suppressed, from day one, the killing of hundreds and then thousands of peaceful protesters in the early days of its rise to power. It continues to suppress free voices in Egypt. The prisons in Egypt hold more than 40,000 political prisoners who are subjected to repression, torture, and rape.
Women, men, and children live day by day under the repressive measures of this regime. What we have witnessed is the resistance of the Egyptian people against this regime. We must remember that this repression is against the entire Egyptian people.
Although it focuses on one political group, it today proves that it is ready to suppress anyone who expresses their opinion. The international community must act. We know that governments have taken a stance of extending aid to this regime by not opposing the military coup.
However, there are many in democratic societies who oppose what is happening and oppose their governments' positions. We see this in the essential and main human rights organizations, and I am not just talking about those that reflect what is happening in Egypt, such as Amnesty International and many other organizations that reflect what is happening in Egypt to the people in the West.
There are many organizations that have written to German Chancellor Merkel to inform her of the many violations occurring in Egypt, including the International Organization Against Torture. These are some of the leading organizations that know what is happening in Egypt, in addition to parliamentarians and the angry civil society that is falling in the face of their government's position.
There is now additional pressure around the world regarding the fascist military regime in Egypt that deprives its people of basic rights and freedoms. There should be pressure on democratic Western governments because the positions taken by these governments, such as the German, British, European, and American, undermine the values they advocate and believe in.
The values they defend in their countries, but these governments are willing to support someone who kills his people. The Sisi regime is responsible for committing crimes against humanity, and all these crimes should be investigated in front of the International Criminal Court.
There are political reasons for not allowing this. General Sisi should not be allowed to visit European capitals. He is currently in Germany, having gone to Paris and Madrid. A criminal like this should not be welcomed in countries that understand the meaning of fascism and dictatorial regimes.
Countries have suffered from the criminal consequences of similar regimes not long ago. We know that General Sisi faces a significant challenge in Egypt after 2011. The Egyptians broke the wall of silence and fear and managed to overthrow Mubarak.
General Sisi and the security forces are trying to restore this fear through killing and repression, but they will not succeed because the wall of fear and silence will be broken again and again. What we are witnessing is a security challenge for the entire region and the international community through policies that have become prevalent in Egypt today.
There are many ready to confront this regime through non-peaceful means, which threatens the stability and security of Egypt and the entire region. The Egyptian people have the right to resist. They have the right to resist the military regime that occupies the country and threatens every civilian in the country.
The military regime in Egypt, supported by a small segment that seems larger than it is in reality, will fall. But we want the fall of this regime to come at a great cost to civilian lives. Therefore, we call on the international community today to speak frankly about the nature of this regime and to withdraw its support, especially regarding trade agreements that allow the sale of arms to a regime that oppresses its people.
Egypt is a country of 90 million people who want freedom. They have the right to respect the rule of law and their rights like any country in the world. They should not be deprived of that by a military regime supported by democracies around the world.
This situation is embarrassing, and the trials we are witnessing are trials that issue death sentences against the president and those around him. These sentences are null and void legally and constitutionally. These courts and this judiciary are compromised, and the international community has a duty, if it is sincere with itself and its principles, to withdraw legitimacy from this regime and from these courts.
Thank you very much.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, thank you very much for participating in this conference, and thanks to the organizers for giving me the opportunity to speak at this conference.
The coup in Egypt in 2013 was a setback for human rights and basic freedoms, a violation of laws, international treaties, and agreements, and a distortion of justice standards in courtrooms that rush against time and do not guarantee justice.
They hastily issue life sentences and death sentences without distinction between women, children, and men, and without considering the health conditions of individuals. They do not allow defendants to present capable arguments to dismantle the case from the outset, in addition to the illegitimacy of the formation of judicial committees, which constitutes a violation of the constitution and the rule of law.
Regarding the death sentences issued in Egypt after the military coup, there are 10,504 individuals from the coup in Egypt who are subjected to repression. From 2014 to April 2015, death sentences were issued without the defendants having the right to a fair trial.
And there was protest in the area, and there was 100% condemnation of the penalty in March 2014, and that was the only many decisions.
Saeed Youssef Saad was among those affected.
I wonder if there is any explanation for the names of the organizations I mentioned that contacted the heads of governments individually, especially Chancellor Merkel. We were never concerned about that; I mentioned it only in an informational context.
The regime has tried to hide the truth and show the world that there is support for it, but there is a division in the world regarding opinions about what is happening in Egypt. We noticed that the Speaker of Parliament refused to meet with General Sisi, even though Chancellor Merkel will meet with him.
Human rights organizations highlight the many violations in Egypt and demand investigations into all cases of human rights violations and crimes against humanity. However, all these organizations have worked independently and contacted Chancellor Merkel independently without coordinating with us.
Will any legal action be taken to prevent General Sisi from visiting the UK? It is clear that there are efforts to pursue those responsible for the military coup, and communication will certainly be made with the British government to inform them that the time is not right to host a dictatorial ruler and engage with him.
However, we do not know if the British government will maintain its invitation despite the violations we discussed today. There has certainly been an expression of concern and fears in the British and American governments regarding the recent escalation, especially the sentencing of President Morsi.
These discussions will continue, and pressures will continue on the British government not to host a leader of a military regime that kills its people. However, we can mention that the British government will view General Sisi's case as it viewed President Assad's case.
It seems clear that General Sisi is working with his government to show that he is internationally accepted and supported, but there is communication with civil societies and decision-makers at all levels, and the regime is being portrayed as it is in reality, revealing its crimes against its people.
Therefore, a visit here or a visit there will not prolong the life of this regime that oppresses the people in Egypt, and these repressive actions are being exposed. Thank you very much for being here today. This concludes the press conference. Thank you.