http://www.eohr.org/press/2007/pr0215.shtml
On 15th February 2007, EOHR issues its
report on collective punishment in Egypt "From Arish to Kafr Turkey…...Collective
Punishment and its Counter Strategies". EOHR stresses in its report on
how the collective punishment constitutes a breach of a wide range of
human rights furnished by the Egyptian Constitution and international
human rights instruments, such as the right to life, right to freedom
and personal safety. The practice of collective punishment can reach all
citizens regardless of their class, standard or affiliation due to the
strict procedures carried out by security bodies. Collective punishment
included many practices such as wide range arbitrary detention, taking
hostages, curfews, random gunfire to terrorize citizens.
EOHR has paid close attention to the phenomena of collective punishment
since Arish events where 3000 persons were detained after the Taba
bombings in 2004. EOHR monitored and documented this phenomena which
sometimes violated one of the most basic right which is the right to
life. 2004 witnessed two main incidents of collective punishment; Ezzbet
Alesla7 Al Zera'ay in Banha, Qualubia, where security forces fired
random gunfire which led to one death and 50 injuries. The second
incident took place in the village of Shubra Balula in Mounouf which led
to one death and the detention of 21 citizens. 2005 also witnessed two
main incidents; Kafr Sakr, Sharquia, which resulted to one death and the
detention of 21 citizens. The second incident took place in the village
of Sarando, Buhaira, resulted to one death and the arrest of 18 persons.
In January 2007 the incidents of Kafr Turkey took place, leading to the
death of Ahmed Hamdan Sayyid by a gunshot from police forces. One of the
main incidents of collective punishment was the religious seditions in
Alexandria which resulted to the arrest of 170 and injuring 22 citizens.
EOHR monitored 12 incidents of collective punishment in the period
between 2004 and February 2007. 2005 comes on the first place recording
5 incidents, followed by 2004 and 2006 with 3 incidents each, and
finally Kafr Turkey in January 2007. In its report, EOHR relied on the
testimonies of the villagers who stated that the reason of the violent
encounters were because they refused to have a mobile network built in
their village. Police forces fired gunshots to terrorize them which led
to the death of Ahmed Hamdan Sayyid and 6 other injuries, followed by
random arrests.
EOHR concluded its report by reaffirming that collective punishment
constitutes a breach to basic human rights such as the right to life and
right to freedom and personal safety.
Accordingly, EOHR demands an immediate investigation in the Kafr
Turkey's incident and:
|
[Human Rights] [Home] [ Site Map ] |