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The deteriorating situation of human rights in Egypt, in particular the case of the activists of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)

TA-9-2020-0384 · P9_TA(2020)0384 · PE661.560

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Parliament's resolution on the deteriorating human rights situation in Egypt focuses on the case of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) activists. It deplores the crackdown on civil society and calls for the release of arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, including Patrick George Zaki. It demands that Egypt drop all charges against EIPR activists, end harassment, and revoke travel bans and asset freezes. It calls for an end to counter-terrorism legislation misuse, mass trials, and the death penalty. It urges the EU and member states to take a unified stance, consider targeted sanctions against Egyptian officials, review EU aid and budget support, and halt exports of arms and surveillance technology that could be used for repression.

Key points

  1. Deplores the intensifying crackdown on human rights defenders, journalists, activists and others in Egypt, and calls for an independent investigation into all human rights violations.
  2. Is outraged at the arrests of EIPR activists Gasser Abdel Razek, Karim Ennarah and Mohammad Basheer after meeting European diplomats, and urges Egypt to drop all charges and lift restrictive measures against them and EIPR founder Hossam Bahgat.
  3. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Patrick George Zaki, whose detention was extended for another 45 days on 6 December 2020, and for a strong EU diplomatic reaction.
  4. Reiterates calls for the release of those arbitrarily detained for human rights work, listing Mohamed Ibrahim, Mohamed Ramadan, Alaa Abdel Fattah and others.
  5. Urges Egypt to amend or repeal its 2019 NGO law and counterterrorism law, close Case 173/2011, and lift travel bans and asset freezes on at least 31 human rights defenders and NGO staff.
  6. Calls on Egypt to ensure detainees have access to families, lawyers and medical care, and that credible investigations into ill-treatment or torture are conducted.
  7. Expresses deep concern about overcrowded detention during COVID-19, calls for decongestion and independent monitoring of Tora prison, and denounces repression of medical workers and journalists.
  8. Deplores the rise in executions, calls for a moratorium on the death penalty, and urges Egypt to release juveniles sentenced to death and amend Article 122 of its Child Law.
  9. Calls for a comprehensive law on violence against women, an end to persecution of women and LGBTI people, and enforcement of laws against sexual violence and FGM.
  10. Deplores Egypt's hindrance of the investigation into Giulio Regeni's murder, calls for full cooperation with Italian authorities, and warns against retaliation against witnesses and ECRF lawyers.
  11. Urges the VP/HR and member states to respond unifiedly, set up a UN Human Rights Council monitoring mechanism, and consider targeted sanctions against high-level Egyptian officials.
  12. Calls for a review of EU relations with Egypt, revision of budget support, restriction of EU aid to democratic actors and civil society, and halting exports of arms and surveillance technology.

Who is affected

  • Egyptian authorities, including security forces and courts, are called on to release detainees, drop charges, and end abuses.
  • EIPR activists Gasser Abdel Razek, Karim Ennarah, Mohammad Basheer and Patrick George Zaki are the focus of calls for release and dropped charges.
  • EU member states are urged to halt arms exports, follow up on 2013 conclusions, and take a unified stance on human rights in Egypt.
  • The EU Commission, EEAS and VP/HR are asked to review aid, raise human rights in meetings, and consider sanctions.

Figures and deadlines

  • Three EIPR activists arrested between 15 and 19 November 2020.
  • Activists granted bail on 3 December 2020 and released on 6 December 2020.
  • Patrick George Zaki's detention extended for another 45 days on 6 December 2020.
  • At least 110 people executed in Egypt in 2020, with 66 since 3 October 2020.
  • At least 39 people at risk of imminent execution.
  • At least 17 juveniles received death sentences since 2011.
  • At least 31 human rights defenders and NGO staff under travel bans and asset freezes in Case 173/2011.
  • State of emergency in Egypt since 10 April 2017.