Egypt: Further detentions of anti-war activists

'Their arrest follows on from the detention of hundreds of men, Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights and Children's rights previously detained after anti-war demonstrations in Cairo on 20 and 21 March. Several detainees have alleged that they were tortured or ill-treated in custody,' said Amnesty International

Following the previous demonstrations in March, dozens of people including lawyers, journalists, MPs and students were issued with detention orders of up to 15 days. They were subsequently released on bail, having been accused of committing various offences, including participating in illegal gatherings and threatening public security. 'The Egyptian authorities must respect people's rights to freedom of expression and assembly,' the organisation said.

Background

Emergency legislation and Law 10 of 1914 (Assembly Law) impose serious restrictions on the rights of freedom of expression and assembly as guaranteed under international human rights law and standards, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Egypt is a state party. In February 2003 the Egyptian Parliament approved the extension of the state of emergency for a further three years.