Egypt: Update on government closure of the Association for Human Rights Legal Aid

The AHRLA has appealed against the government’s decision to an administrative court, which is due to rule on the appeal on 21 October 2007. In the meantime the AHRLA is considered to be officially dissolved."

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Arabic, English or your own language:

- expressing concern that the Cairo city government has taken action to close down the AHRLA and halt its activities in support of victims of torture and other ill-treatment;

- calling on the authorities to rescind immediately the decision to close down the AHRLA, and lift any restrictions imposed on it, so it can continue to provide much-needed assistance in defence of human rights;

- urging the authorities to respect AHRLA’s right to free association, as set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the UN Declaration on human rights defenders

APPEALS TO:

Dr Ali El-Sayed Al-Moselhi
Minister of Social Solidarity
Ministry of Social Solidarity
19 Al Maraghy Street
Al Agouza, Giza
Egypt
Fax: +20 23 5917799
Tel: +20 22 7956387
Email: msi@idsc.gov.eg
Salutation: Dear Minister

Governor Dr Abd Elazem Morsy Wazir
Cairo Governorate
7 Gomhoreya Square
Abdeen, Cairo,
Egypt
Fax: +20 22 391 1335
Salutation: Dear Governor

and to diplomatic representatives of Egypt accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 5 November 2007.

24 September 2007

Source: Amnesty International