Egypt Justice Minister Issues Decision to Hold Trials in Jail for Peaceful Protest Detainees

Egypt’s military-installed Minister of Justice issued a decision to hold trials for detainees in Tanta City (Gharbiya Province) in the Central Security Forces prison, in violation of all legal norms and procedures.

Notably, Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone is entitled in full equality with others to "a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him".

Also, Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that it is the right of every individual to have his case considered in "a fair and public hearing by a competent and impartial tribunal".

Also notable is that the same minister issued a decision to try 140 detainees (from the Ramses Square events of July 16, 2013) in Abu-Zaabal Prison. This was challenged with legal and human rights objections and complaints. The trial of detainees in prisons, police stations, ministry of interior or armed forces camps are completely contrary to all principles and concepts of fair courts or tribunals Egypt government and judiciary are committed to.

Needless to say, trials in such circumstances are deemed unfair since detainees usually fear reprisals by security officers and soldiers in charge of prisons and other such establishments.