12.000 Egyptian Civilians in Military Trials

On November 28, 2011 for the first time in decades, parliamentary  elections will take place in Egypt. The fall of Mubarak’s regime at the  beginning of January this year has some Egyptians to believe that the  revolution is over, some feel that there is a need to continue the  struggle for democracy and others think that demonstrators need to be  stopped for the sake of Egypt’s stability and economy (see Global Voices).

However, also since January 2011, 12.000 Egyptian citizens have stood before a military tribunal. These courts deny the defendants the right to appeal by limiting them to legal points without reviewing the facts and evidence of the case. Amnesty International states: “Freedoms of expression, association and assembly have been  promised, but criticism of the authorities has been suppressed, activists targeted, NGOs threatened with criminal investigation, and  demonstrators arbitrarily arrested and forcibly dispersed”. Alaa Abd El Fattah, a prominent activist and blogger, is one of the 12.000 accused. He tried to speak up against the military trials, demanding citizens to be prosecuted by judges. 

While since October Egyptian citizen can no longer be trialled in military courts, citizen who violate military laws can be prosecuted under military courts. These military laws are for example; attacking the military or damage to military services.

The irony of the situation is that Mubarak and his family members are prosecuted in a civilian court case.

 

To help Access Now to free Alaa and other civilians, click here and to help in supporting the end of military trials, click here.