April 14, 2016
The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms demands the Egyptian authorities to release the Syrian refugees detained in MarsaAlam and Halayib and Shalateen prisons. Moreover, it rejects any attempt to deport them from Egypt. ECRF also condemns the arbitrary detention of these refugees since March 1, 2016, besides the decision of deportation regardless the prosecution’s order of their release.
On March 1, 2016, the Egyptian authorities arrested 80 Syrian refugees during their failed attempt to enter Egypt illegally through the Sudanese boarders. Few days following their detention, the public prosecutor decided on their release; however, National Security apparatus refused to release the detainees in clear violation to the public prosecutor’s order, and article no.9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Accordingly, on April 3. 2016, ECRF lodged a complaint to the attorney general demanding the immediate release of the detainees.
ECRF also condemns the terrorizing threats of deporting the detainees to Syria, in which case the Egyptian authorities will be violating the principals of non-refoulement stated in the articles no. 13 and 33 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The articles state “An alien lawfully in the territory of a State Party to the present Covenant may be expelled therefrom only in pursuance of a decision reached in accordance with law and shall, except where compelling reasons of national security otherwise require, be allowed to submit the reasons against his expulsion and to have his case reviewed by, and be represented for the purpose before, the competent authority or a person or persons especially designated by the competent authority.”
Moreover, this decision violates article no.93 of the Egyptian constitution, whichstates, “The State shall be bound by the international human rights agreements, covenants and conventions ratified by Egypt, and which shall have the force of law afterpublication in accordance with the prescribed conditions.” Along with article no.91 of the Egyptian constitution, which states “The State may grant political asylum to any foreigner persecuted for defending the interests of people, human rights, peace or justice. Extradition of political refugees is prohibited. All of the foregoing shall be according to the Law.”
Accordingly, the Egyptian authority will be holding the political and criminal liability for violating refugees’ rights in Egypt in case of their expulsion to Syria or anywhere else.
Some name of the detained refugees
- In Marsa Alam Prison, Case No. 103 of year 2016, administration
- Abdel-Rahman Fras Salah, infant who was born in the prison in a very bad health condition and needs to be transformed to incubation
- Abd-Allah Abdel-Rehim Ahmed Hussin
- Halaa Abd-Allah Hussin
- Rahif Abd-Allah Hussin
- Turk Abdel-Aziz Mostafa
- Amar Khsan Dahowd
- Dima Mahmoud Moslam
- Fahima Diab El-Zawz
- Shahinaz Hagim Daleb El-Masry
- Raghib Gomaa Khalid El-Ali
- Samira Mahmoud Wahid Dabas
- Rima Abd-Allah Hussin
- Marwan Hussin Al-Ahmed
- Emad Marwan Hussin Al-Ahmed
- Khalid Gmoaa Ezzel-Dain
- Gowdi Wael Kanan
- NadaNazmi Emad
- In Halayib and Shalateen Prison
- Samr Khalid Fatnih
- Safaa Salam Zidean
- Sarah Samr Fatnih (5 years old)
- Ahmed Badi’ Sidah
- Rola Samr Shnar (pregnant and needs to health care)
- Moaz Ahmed Sidah (8 years old)
- Mohamed Nazmi Adeib El-Gibal (suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure)
- Sagda Abdel-kafil Khowry Zida (pregnant and needs health care)
- Salah Nazmi Aqad
- Fawzy Lotfy El-Rahim
- Latifa Isamil El-Saghir
- Rami Ahmed El-Rahim (4 years old)
- Sandy Ahmed El-Rahim (5 years old)
- Gomaa Abdel-Rahim Haj Ali
- Mona Gmal Haj Ali
- Samira Gomaa Haj Ali (7 years old)
- Firas Salah Amiren
- Mai Abdel-Aziz Aibour (Pregnant and needs health care)
- Khada Firas Amiren (5 years old)
- Salah Firas Amiren
- Ezam Magad Hafahf
- Mohamed Ahj Ali
- Mohamed Hithem Saeed
- Gmal Nassr Mahmoushi
- Adnan Ahmed Shaqiran
- Mohamed Beshir El-Brnaway
- Ahmed Abdel-Atif