Press Release.. At least 3120 arrested in 24 Governorates in the wave of arrests following 20 September protests

At least 3120 arrested in 24 Governorates in the wave of arrests following 20 September protests, 2447 appear in front of prosecutors, 113 confirmed as remaining disappeared, 94 reappeared after disappearance, at least 57 confirmed released without charge

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

21 September 2019 (figures updated up until 2 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 20th 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 3120 protestors, and others arrested in the aftermath of the protests, including 132 women and 120 children (under 18), from Friday 20 September 2019 until the evening of 2 October, in 24 governorates – most of them on Friday the 20th of September and 55 were arrested on Friday the 27th of September – as follows: 702 in Cairo, 147 in Suez, 133 in Alexandria, 100 in Damietta, 71 in Giza, 54 in Al-Qaliobeya, 48 in Al-Daqahleya, 42 in Al-Gharbeya, 42 in Aswan (mostly arrested from home), 45 in Ismailia, 36 in Port Said, 29 in Sohag, 26 in Minia, 21 in Al-Sharqeya, 14 in Qena, seven in Al-Beheira, five in Luxor, four in Marsa-Matrouh, four in Beni Suef, three from Al-Fayoum, two in Asyut, two in Kafr Al Shaekh, one in the Red Sea (Hurghada), one in Menoufia. 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 3080 names with details of their arrest. The families of 40 detainees refused to publish their names.

Some 2447 appeared in front of prosecutors, including 2434 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. Only three minors were ordered release by a prosecutor in this case while the remaining 2431 were given 15 days preventive detention. Four appeared before Montaza prosecution in Alexandria, while two appeared in front of Mansura prosecution, four activists were accused in an older case case 488 of 2019 state security prosecution, in addition to human rights lawyer Mohamed El-Baker and blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah who were arrested on 29 September and 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 57 were released from police stations without investigation although ECRF estimates over 100 were released from police stations in 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 616 detainees’ fate or whereabouts remain unknown to ECRF, the organization was only able so far to double check with the families of 113 detainees among the 616 that they have not had any information about the whereabouts or fate of the detainee amid denial of the authorities of their arrest, which effectively makes those 113 victims of enforced disappearances. ECRF fears the remaining 503 may too be subject to enforced disappearance. 65 previously counted as victims enforced disappearance have appeared on 28-29-30 September and 1-2 October in front of prosecutors and are therefore not counted among the 113 referred to above, they are now counted among those who appeared in front of a prosecutor. 29 more who had been disappeared were released without charge from police stations. Hence 207 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.

Update list of detainees attached.