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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IS calling for the release of a women’s rights defender in Egypt and other activists who are due to stand trial today for defying the country’s laws on protesting.
Human rights defender Yara Sallam and another activist Sanaa Seif are among 22 people facing trial on charges of taking part in a gathering aimed at threatening “public peace” and damaging property.
Amnesty claims the woman was not even participating in the protest in question, which had been marching to the presidential palace, and therefore the charges are “baseless”.
Yara Sallam had been walking in the Cairo suburb of Heliopolis where the protest was taking place on the evening of 21 June with her cousin. She was buying water from a kiosk when she and her cousin were arrested. Her cousin was released the next day but Yara Sallam was kept in detention after security forces discovered she works at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR).
Amnesty International said it considers her a “prisoner of conscience” who must be immediately and unconditionally released.
“This appears to be yet another show-trial based on scant and dubious evidence that is intended to be a clear warning to anyone who defies Egypt’s protest law,” said Philip Luther, Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme.
“The case provides the latest proof of the Egyptian authorities’ determination to quash peaceful protest and stifle all forms of dissent. No one should be detained for peacefully exercising the right to freedom of expression and assembly.”
The other activist in question, Sanaa Seif is currently on hunger strike to protest the authorities’ refusal to allow her to spend time with her father during his final days. The well known human rights lawyer died last month.
Eleven other activists including Sanaa’s sister, the well-known activist Mona Seif, are also on hunger strike to object to the policy of detaining human rights defenders in the country.
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Thoughts with her family
How horrible
Like wise.
Awful news, slow down people arrive alive.
That’s the problem all the media and garda are saying slow down don’t drink drive.
Just cause you don’t speed and drink drive. Dose not mean you dont have to pay attention, just cause you walking / cycling dosen mean you have a right.
Just comeing home there on a national road doing the 100km speed limited a guy didn’t stop at stop sign. Had to avoid them nearly ended in the ditch could of died, this guy just drove on with out a care in the world.
Yet if I did die the head lines be young man loses control while speeding.
Main prob on our roads is everyone is complacent every body thinks its some else fault.
We need to show adverts showing the dangerous of not looking.
LOOK TWICE AND SAVE A LIFE!!
I was only on that road Xmas eve night and had to take it easy. Treacherous bumpy road with black ice. My condolences to the family and friends of this lady. Very unfortunate. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.
So sad, this poor woman lost her son in an accident on this road less that 12 month ago cannot imagine what that poor family must be going threw.
When is the Journal ever going to stop comments on stories like this??? Close the comment section for god sake…. Trolling A-Holes just lapping it up and it looks so disrespectful to anyone who knows this person or their family to see the childish behavior that goes on here 99% of the time that a death is publicized…. Out of respect and a bit of common sense/courtesy
I couldn’t agree more. It’s a disgrace!
Rip.So sad.
I’m shocked at the disrespect of some comments.Thank you to others for your sincere condolences ,
This lady happens to be the sister in law of one of my friends.The whole families concerned are devastated,as her son Ray was also killed near this spot last February..
I just pray for your ignorance ..Thank you all for your positive comments,may you be blessed and safe!
THANKS A VERONICA WE NEED TO GREIF IN PEACE X
I am highly insulted and shocked at those comments from horrible sad individuals here on the journal.ie I am a cousin of this lady and find the comments offensive. I hope you never experience what the family are going through at the moment because it is a dark horrible time for them all. The lack of respect and empathy makes me question the society we live in today. Let the family grieve in peace. Rest in peace Eunice X I hope the journal remove such comments and prevent immediate family and friends from seeing them.
Very sad, my sincere condolences to the family.
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