Date
Type
03/10/2012
JUA
05/10/2012
JUA
Case No
Country
Mandate(s)
Summary of the allegation transmitted
Reply
EGY 13/2012
Egypt
Arbitrary detention;
Freedom of religion;
Independence of
judges and lawyers;
Torture;
Alleged detention and attacks against an atheist on allegations of ―Defamation 01/11/2012
of Religion‖. According to the information received, on 13 September 2012, a
crowd gathered in front of Mr. Albert Saber Ayyad‘s apartment with the
intention of attacking him over a video he had posted on the internet that was
viewed to be ―defaming‖ Islam. Mr. Ayyad‘s mother called the police for
protection but when the police arrived, they arrested Mr. Ayyad and
confiscated his computer and a CD, without a warrant. Mr. Ayyad was
allegedly attacked by the crowd while he was transferred to the El-Marg
police station. He was also allegedly attacked by inmates at the police station,
after the arresting officer reportedly told them that Mr. Ayyad insulted Islam.
Mr. Ayyad was charged with defamation of religion based on Article 98 of
the Egyptian Penal Code and interrogated for hours about his religious beliefs.
His lawyer was allegedly sent out of the interrogation room after commenting
on the inappropriateness of the line of questioning. An appeal against the
detention order was filed by a group of human rights organizations but
reportedly denied.
BHR 8/2012
Bahrain
Freedom of
expression; Freedom
of peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
25/10/2012
Alleged sentencing of human rights defender. According to the information
received, on 26 September 2012, Ms. Zainab Al-Khawaja was sentenced to
two months imprisonment by the Lower Criminal Court in Manama, on
charges of ―damaging property belonging to the Ministry of Interior‖,
reportedly relating to an incident which occurred in May 2012 while Ms. AlKhawaja was in detention. The prominent human rights defender was arrested
on 2 August 2012 while protesting alone at Al Qadam roundabout in
Manama, against the continued detention of her father Mr. Abdulhadi AlKhawaja. It is alleged that Ms. Al-Khawaja was subjected to ill-treatment by
police during the arrest. A total of thirteen cases have reportedly been filed
against Ms. Al-Khawaja, eight of which are in court and include charges of
―illegal gathering‖ and ―inciting hatred against the regime‖. Sources indicate
that the defender was released on 4 0ctober, and was to appear again in court
on 10 and 16 October and 1 November. Ms. Al-Khawaja was the subject of
earlier communications (see A/HRC/20/30, case no BHR 1/2012).
A/HRC/22/67
115
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