EGYPT: ANTI-WAR ARRESTS CONTINUE
The Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR) says it is deeply concerned by news of the ongoing arrests of anti-Iraqi war activists in Egypt. The organisation said that on 19 February 2003 security forces had arrested Kamal Khalil, a leader of the Egyptian anti-war movement and director of the Socialist Studies Centre.
**We apologise for any cross-posting - The following is being forwarded
exactly as received**
To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR), [email protected]
Cairo: 22-2-2003
Press Release
Anti-War efforts under attack
Further arrests of anti-Iraqi war activists
The EOHR is deeply concerned by news of the ongoing arrests of anti-Iraqi
war activists in Egypt. On 19 February 2003, EOHR learned that Egyptian
security forces had arrested Kamal Khalil, a leader of the Egyptian anti-war
movement and director of the Socialist Studies Center. More troubling is
that Mr Khalil's whereabouts remain unknown and his health condition is
unstable.
The arrests of anti-Iraqi war activists have increased during the last two
months and in addition to Mr Khalil, 14 people remain in detention. EOHR has
previously highlighted the peaceful nature of the anti-war protests and the
danger the emergency law poses to citizens' freedom of expression contained
in the Egyptian Constitution.
EOHR calls for the immediate release of Mr Khalil and other prisoners of
conscience and opinion. Moreover, EOHR affirms the necessity of the Egyptian
authorities to respect the right to peaceful expression of opinion and
assembly. Additionally, the authorities should respond to the popular and
just demand for the cessation of the emergency law in order to return the
rule of law to Egypt.
**The information contained in this autolist item is the sole responsibility
of EOHR**