Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy

Egyptian Canadians call on government, civil society to prevent pending executions of 7 Egyptians convicted of crimes they could not have committed


- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
(Ottawa, April 4, 2015) The Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) calls upon the Canadian government, international community and civil society to intervene to prevent the execution of Egyptian civilians. Seven civilians were convicted in Egypt for a crime committed months after they had been detained by the military regime. The death sentences were recently confirmed by an Egyptian military court and execution may occur at any time.


Civilians sentenced included a minor and related to crime occurring after their detention

On March 24th 2015, the Military Court rejected the appeal and confirmed the death sentence for seven Egyptian civilians. The death sentences were first issued on October 21st 2014 for participation in attacks on a police van and army checkpoint that occurred on March 19, 2014. The individuals convicted sentenced to death were all in custody at the time of the attacks. They are:

  1. Abdul Rahman Sayed Rizk (a minor, in custody since March 16, 2014)
  2. Mohammed Bakri Harun, (in custody since November 28, 2013).
  3. Hany Mustafa Amin Amer (in custody since December 16, 2013).
  4. Muhammad Ali Afifi (in custody since November 19, 2013).
  5. Khalid Faraj Mohammed Mohammed Ali (in custody since March 16, 2014).
  6. Islam Syed Ahmed (in custody since March 16, 2014).
  7. Ashraf Ali Ali Hassanein

They may be executed at any time.

See also:

Egyptian Canadians voiced concerns about Canadian rapprochement with Military Regime

Earlier this year, the RCMP announced a plan to provide assistance to the Egyptian military regime in the form of training support for security forces. The announcement was met with expressions of concern from Egyptian-Canadians given the abysmal human rights records of Egyptian security forces and the significant deterioration of human and democratic rights since the July 3rd 2013 military coup.

"We hope that the Canadian government is able to exercise any possible pressure upon the Egyptian military regime to prevent this horrible and irreversible miscarriage of justice and human rights aberration" said ECCD Board Chair, Ehab Lotayef.

"Both Canada and Egypt are signatories to the foundational international treaties addressing civil, political and legal rights. In such egregious cases as these, Canadians are justified in demanding that their government intervene at the diplomatic level to ensure respect for our shared commitments."

About ECCD: Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy (ECCD) is a politically independent, non-affiliated pan Canadian organization with chapters in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver, and Kingston, which advocates for democracy and human rights in Egypt.

For more information:
www.eccd.ca
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ehab Lotayef: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +1 (514) 941-9792
Ehab El-Komy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +1 (613) 852-1694

Ottawa: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Sherif Elkholy: (613) 295-3994
Toronto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Bakr: (289) 981-2686
Montreal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Ehab Lotayef: (514) 941-9792
Vancouver: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Fatma Taha: (604) 721-4555
Calgary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Hassanin: (403) 470-3687
Kingston: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mohamed Salah: (613) 770-3399

 

 

 

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