At least 4321 arrested in 24 Governorates in the wave of arrests following 20 September protests

The Egyptian Government must immediately Release People Arrested in the wake of the 20^th of September Demonstrations

21 September 2019 figures updated up until 18 October 2019

The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF) condemns the arbitrary detentions and arrests of demonstrators, passers-by, pedestrians and activists, in several governorates amid protests taking place in the country since Friday, the 20^th of September 2019. ECRF demands the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, and holds the Egyptian government fully responsible for their physical safety and human dignity. ECRF also affirms the right of citizens to practice all forms of peaceful protest and demonstration, as well as the responsibility of the state to respect and protect this right.

A large number of demonstrations broke out in several Egyptian governorates since Friday 20 September 2019 evening demanding that President al-Sisi step down. This took place amid calls that were widespread on social media for citizens to go out and express their rejection that the current president remains in power amid allegations of corruption and waste of public money against his family and a number of army leaders, and the President’s affirmation of some of these allegations in his latest speech. This takes place while the Egyptian government undertakes austerity measures that increase economic burdens on citizens, creating more agony because of deterioration of socioeconomic conditions.

ECRF monitored the breaking out of peaceful protests demanding that current president leaves in several governorates including Cairo, Al-Gharbeya (Mahala), Alexandria, Suez, Al-Dakahlia (Mansoura) and Damietta. ECRF monitored the arrest of 4321 protestors, and others arrested in the aftermath of the protests, including 165 women and 177 children (under 18), from Friday 20 September 2019 until the evening of 12 October, in 25 governorates – most of them on Friday the 20th of September and 101 were arrested on Friday the 27th of September – as follows: 861 in Cairo, 261 in Suez, 248 in Alexandria, 126 in Damietta, 91 in Giza, 72 in Al-Qaliobeya, 56 in Al-Daqahleya, 53 in Al-Gharbeya, 52 in Ismailia, 50 in Aswan (mostly arrested from home), 37 in Port Said, 35 in Sohag, 31 in Minia, 29 in Al-Sharqeya, 19 in Al-Fayoum, 17 in Beni Suef, 14 in Qena, 13 in Al-Beheira, five in Luxor, five in Marsa-Matrouh, five in Asyut, four in Kafr Al Sheikh, four in Menoufia, two in the Red Sea (Hurghada). ECRF documented these cases via direct contact with their family members, and receiving their information via the emergency hotline, Facebook page, or its lawyers and through secondary sources. Attached to this statement is a list of 3292 names with details of their arrest. The families of 40 detainees refused to publish their names.

Some 3734 appeared in front of prosecutors, including 3709 in case number 1338 of 2019 state security prosecution (divided in groups investigated at state security prosecution in the fifth settlement, and in front of Cairo prosecutors in Zenhoum courthouse in Cairo). They are accused of contribution to the achievement of a terrorist group’s goals, illegal protest, misuse of internet and social media to spread false news undermining national security and calling for protests. So far 802 were ordered release by prosecutors in this case while the remaining 2907 were given 15 days preventive detention, or had their preventive detention reviewed for additional 15 days. Four appeared before Montaza prosecution in Alexandria, while two appeared in front of Mansura prosecution, eight activists were accused in an older case case 488 of 2019 state security prosecution, in addition to human rights lawyer Mohamed El-Baker, blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah who were arrested on 29 September and vlogger Mohamed Ibrahim (Oxygen) accused in case 1356 of 2019 state security prosecution on charges of belonging to a terrorist group, funding a terrorist group, spreading false news undermining national security and using social media to commit publishing offenses. ECRF was able to confirm 126 were released from police stations without investigation although ECRF estimates more were released from police stations in Cairo, Alexandria, Mansura and Mahala but was unable to confirm the names of all of them. Some of those unconfirmed names released may not have been reported to ECRF in the first place while others may be.

While some 461 detainees’ fate or whereabouts remain unknown to ECRF, the organization was only able so far to double check with the families of 55 detainees among the 461 that they still continue not to have any information about the whereabouts or fate of the detainee amid denial of the authorities of their arrest, which effectively makes those 55 victims of enforced disappearances. ECRF fears the remaining 406 may too be subject to enforced disappearance. 190 previously counted as victims of enforced disappearance have appeared on 28-29-30 September and between 1 to 18 October in front of prosecutors and are therefore not counted among the 55 referred to above, they are now counted among those who appeared in front of a prosecutor (38 of them were eventually ordered release). 82 more who had disappeared were released without charge from police stations. Hence 327 in total were or are currently victims of enforced disappearance.

ECRF established an emergency room for monitoring the events and providing legal support for citizens. It received reports of arrests. Consequently, its lawyers started following the reported cases in detention place and various police centres. Currently, it is taking adequate legal procedures for these cases. It also announced an emergency number to report cases of arrests and any violations of human rights and seeking legal aid. ECRF will publish the latest update of names of detainees, latest developments of the events and the reports it received.

ECRF confirms that the Egyptian government must fulfill its legal and constitutional obligations to respect the right to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly and demonstration. It stresses that security forces must not restrict the right of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression of the opinions and demands. No one should be arrested or abused for the practice of these rights which are guaranteed by articles 65, 73, 52 and 55 of the Constitution of Egypt, as well as articles 9(1), 10, and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966.

Updated list of detainees:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UTE2iQN8sXdXTZMikgfk5NoAL_W9VszPFt74g45p4-I/edit#gid=182794428