• EGYPT
  • November 28, 2013
  • 3 minutes read

IACPDA Press Release – Ashton Funds Egyptian Girls’ Education Inside Prison

IACPDA Press Release – Ashton Funds Egyptian Girls’ Education Inside Prison

 Minors have been sentenced to juvenile detention for life in a serious violation of International conventions. Alaa Mohamed, spokesperson for British Egyptians for Democracy and an IACPDA board member said “the court’s ruling is a mockery of justice as not only has the court chosen to back an anti-democratic measure, which infringes the right to peaceful public assembly and protest, but it is also in contravention of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice.” Those arrested include 6 minors, who were interrogated, tortured and charged in further violation of the rule of law and were placed in detention with adults instead of being held in care homes. 




 Catherine Ashton welcoming the Military Junta’s appointed deputy prime minister pledged 90 million euros of assistance to the regime. Alaa Mohammad further commented "it is disgraceful when a well respected diplomat such as Catherine Ashton claims to be funding a military Junta to enhance the access of young girls to education. The irony will not be lost that in the case of these young girls that have just been imprisoned, the EU monitors will have to assess compliance in the dungeons of the Junta and we look forward to seeing Mrs Ashton personally go and visit them to make sure this access fund is reaching them." 


 The arrest, arbitrary detention and the use of violence against women expressing their opposition to the practices of the Junta is in stark contrast to UN events to end Violence against Women.  

 IACPDA calls for the Military Junta to immediately release the 21 young women and all those detained under these powers  and calls on the European Union to stop all aid to the Egyptian regime until democracy is restored and international conventions on freedom of assembly and protest are respected.