[fse-esf] Egyptian Detainees Released

[Alex Callinicos]

Please find below information about the release of 20 Egyptian political 
prisoners who were detained after democracy protests by judges. Thanks to 
all who campaigned for their release - but, as the report below makes clear, 
many activists are still being detained by the Egyptian authorities. This is 
only a small episode in the long battle for genuine democracy in Egypt - one 
that will, of course, find the Western powers, despite their proclaimed love 
of 'freedom' and 'democracy', on the other side.

                            Alex Callinicos,
                            Globalise Resistance


>
> On 21 June the Egyptian authorities ordered the release of 20 detainees 
> including socialist activists and members of the pro-reform Kefaya 
> movement arrested during peaceful protests in support of the campaign for 
> judicial independence. The prisoners, including veteran socialist activist 
> Kamal Khalil (having now endured his 16th spell in prison since 1968), 
> Wael Khalil from the anti-globalisation group AGEG, journalist Ibrahim 
> al-Sahary were released over the following days. Two Kefaya members, 
> Muhammad al-Sharqawi and Karim al-Shaer, were remanded in custody for a 
> further 15 days. Hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood members also remain in 
> jail.
>
> Muhammad al-Sharqawi was tortured and sexually assaulted at a police 
> station, and has still not received treatment for fractures to his hand 
> and ribs, according to letters smuggled out of prison. (more details on 
> his injuries here: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/05/31/egypt13482.htm )
>
> The releases came after a vigorous international campaign, including a day 
> of action which saw protests in Seoul, Paris, London, Montreal, New York, 
> Athens and Beirut (among others). BBC journalists in London also organised 
> their own protest after two colleagues were attacked by Egyptian police 
> while returning from a demonstration.
>
> While protests in favour of judicial reform subsided in June, the Judges' 
> Club has rejected the new judicial powers legislation, approved by the 
> cabinet on 21 June and many activists have spoken of their determination 
> to carry on the struggle for change. Alaa Abd-al-Fattah, a blogger who was 
> imprisoned for seven weeks after being arrested on the demonstrations in 
> April, writes about his admiration for the Muslim Brotherhood activists he 
> met as he was waiting for release, adding "when you speak of the 22 who 
> where released this week don't say 22 out of 30 were released say 22 out 
> of 600, when you speak of sharkawy remember that more than 600 comrades 
> went to prison for the same reason, facing the same charges and fighting 
> the same tyrants." Read the rest of his blog here 
> http://www.manalaa.net/in_solidarity_with_the_brotherhood
>
> Please continue to press for the release of Muhammad al-Sharqawi and Karim 
> al-Shaer and the other detainees.
> Send messages of protest to:
> Counsellor Maher 'Abd al-Wahid, Public Prosecutor
> Dar al-Qadha al-'Ali
> Ramses Street, Cairo, Egypt
> Fax: + 202 577 4716
> Copy to:
> H.E. Mr Gehad Refaat Madi,
> Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
> 26 South Street
> London W1Y 6DD
> Telephone: (020) 7499 3304/2401
> Fax: (020) 7491 1542
>
>
>