Egypt
20.01.00
Urgent Interventions
Egypt: suspension of the publication of EOHR
URGENT APPEAL –OBSERVATORY
EGY 001/0001/OBS 001
Suspension of the publication of EOHR
Egypt
20th January 2000
The Observatory for the protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the FIDH and the OMCT, requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Egypt.
Brief description of the situation :
On 19th January 2000, the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR – member of FIDH and OMCT) received circular No. 1484, signed by the Cairo Police Department, stating the decision to suspend 14 publications. This decision is based on decree No. 592 laid down by the prefect of Cairo on 20th September 1999.
Amongst the 14 targeted is the EOHR publication entitled ‘Human Rights’. This bulletin, destined to members of the EOHR was created in 1986; it’s goal is to inform readers of the activities of the organisation and, more generally, to sensitise readers to Human Rights.
The Observatory condemns such measures which constitute a grave attack on freedom of expression guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by Egypt, as well as the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders which stipulates in article 6 (b) «Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: As provided for in human rights and other applicable international instruments, freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms.»
The Observatory considers this decision an indication of a further attempt by the Egyptian authorities to muzzle civil society. In June 1999, a particularly restrictive law, with regards to NGO activities, was issued by President Moubarak.
Actions requested:
Please write to the Egyptian authorities urging them to:
i. take all necessary measures needed to immediately re-establish the authorisation to publish the 14 publications mentioned, particularly ‘Human Rights’ by EOHR.
ii ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9 1998 (Declaration concerning the rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups and institutions to promote and protect universally recognised human rights and fundamental liberties) in particular its Article 1 which provides that «Every person has the right, individually or collectively, to promote the protection and fulfilment of human rights and fundamental liberties at the national and international level.»
iii more generally, guarantee the effective respect of fundamental human rights and freedoms in accordance with the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international and regional Pacts and Covenants ratified by Egypt.
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-Sheik Rihan Street, bab al-Louk, Cairo, Egypt. Telex: 21361 UN - Fax: +202 355 81 03
His Excellency Faruq Sayf Al-Nasr, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, Midan Lazoghly, Cairo, Egypt. Fax: +202 355 81 03
Geneva - Paris, 20th January 2000
Kindly inform the Observatory of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, an FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need.
1998 Human Rights Prize of The French Republic.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line: Fax : +33 (0) 1 55 80 83 92
Tel: FIDH +33 (0) 1 48 55 20 11 OMCT: +41 (0) 22 809 49 39
E.Mail : observatoire@iprolink.ch
EGY 001/0001/OBS 001
Suspension of the publication of EOHR
Egypt
20th January 2000
The Observatory for the protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the FIDH and the OMCT, requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Egypt.
Brief description of the situation :
On 19th January 2000, the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR – member of FIDH and OMCT) received circular No. 1484, signed by the Cairo Police Department, stating the decision to suspend 14 publications. This decision is based on decree No. 592 laid down by the prefect of Cairo on 20th September 1999.
Amongst the 14 targeted is the EOHR publication entitled ‘Human Rights’. This bulletin, destined to members of the EOHR was created in 1986; it’s goal is to inform readers of the activities of the organisation and, more generally, to sensitise readers to Human Rights.
The Observatory condemns such measures which constitute a grave attack on freedom of expression guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by Egypt, as well as the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders which stipulates in article 6 (b) «Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: As provided for in human rights and other applicable international instruments, freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms.»
The Observatory considers this decision an indication of a further attempt by the Egyptian authorities to muzzle civil society. In June 1999, a particularly restrictive law, with regards to NGO activities, was issued by President Moubarak.
Actions requested:
Please write to the Egyptian authorities urging them to:
i. take all necessary measures needed to immediately re-establish the authorisation to publish the 14 publications mentioned, particularly ‘Human Rights’ by EOHR.
ii ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9 1998 (Declaration concerning the rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups and institutions to promote and protect universally recognised human rights and fundamental liberties) in particular its Article 1 which provides that «Every person has the right, individually or collectively, to promote the protection and fulfilment of human rights and fundamental liberties at the national and international level.»
iii more generally, guarantee the effective respect of fundamental human rights and freedoms in accordance with the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international and regional Pacts and Covenants ratified by Egypt.
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-Sheik Rihan Street, bab al-Louk, Cairo, Egypt. Telex: 21361 UN - Fax: +202 355 81 03
His Excellency Faruq Sayf Al-Nasr, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, Midan Lazoghly, Cairo, Egypt. Fax: +202 355 81 03
Geneva - Paris, 20th January 2000
Kindly inform the Observatory of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, an FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need.
1998 Human Rights Prize of The French Republic.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line: Fax : +33 (0) 1 55 80 83 92
Tel: FIDH +33 (0) 1 48 55 20 11 OMCT: +41 (0) 22 809 49 39
E.Mail : observatoire@iprolink.ch