Military Trials and Death Sentences: One-Tier Justice
From the report "Military Trials and Counterterrorism Cases: The State’s Tools to Curb Political Violence in Egypt Since 2013"
In Egypt, military courts issue death sentences and harsh prison terms against civilians without ensuring fair trial guarantees. These courts operate on a single tier of litigation, depriving defendants of their right to appeal before an independent civilian court.
The report reveals that at least eight defendants have been sentenced to death in politically motivated cases following trials that lacked the most basic standards of justice. In many instances, verdicts were based on unreliable security investigations and confessions extracted under torture, without allowing defendants a fair chance to defend themselves.
These rulings constitute a blatant violation of the right to a fair trial and contradict Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees every defendant the right to appeal their sentence before a higher court.
The execution of military court death sentences must be halted, and defendants must be granted the right to appeal their cases before an independent civilian judiciary. Justice cannot be served through final verdicts issued by exceptional courts.
Read the full report:
