(EOHR/IFEX) – The following is a 23 March 2003 EOHR press release: EOHR Issues an Urgent Appeal Requesting the Disclosure of the Whereabouts of Hamdin Sabbahi EOHR expresses its deep concern regarding news that People’s Assembly Member Hamdin Sabbahi, age 49, was kidnapped by four persons dressed in civilian clothing outside his home on Ahmed […]
(EOHR/IFEX) – The following is a 23 March 2003 EOHR press release:
EOHR Issues an Urgent Appeal Requesting the Disclosure of the Whereabouts of Hamdin Sabbahi
EOHR expresses its deep concern regarding news that People’s Assembly Member Hamdin Sabbahi, age 49, was kidnapped by four persons dressed in civilian clothing outside his home on Ahmed Orabi Street, Mohandaseen, Cairo. His attorney, Mr. Mohamed Moneib (former Secretary General of EOHR and current president of the African Democracy and Human Rights Council on South Africa), informed EOHR that Hamdin Sabbahi, both a People’s Assembly member and member of the Board of the Journalists Syndicate, was kidnapped by four people wearing plainclothes, while leaving his home today at 4:15 p.m. They attacked and seized him despite interference by the building security guards. The unidentified men pushed the security guards away, threatened them with guns, placed Mr. Sabbahi into a private car and took him to an undisclosed location.
Mr. Sabbahi is a founding member of the El Karama movement and an activist in an anti-war committee as well. His attorney noted that his client was beaten on Friday, March 21, 2003 in front of the Bar Association, while trying to protect another citizen from being beaten by security forces outside the building. The following day, Mr. Sabbahi was arrested after having asked the People’s Assembly to question the Minister of the Interior about excesses committed when the police arrested thousands of citizens during demonstrations that rocked Cairo on March 20, 2003. The Ministry of the Interior has yet to set a date for such an investigation. In addition, Mr. Moneib warned of health issues Mr. Sabbahi faces, including high blood pressure, hepatitis and rheumatism, as well as his need to regularly take prescribed medications.
We express our profound concern regarding the illegality of his arrest; as a member of parliament he should have immunity. He is not on probation; there is no reason why such diplomatic privilege should be suspended. In particular, to remove his diplomatic immunity, a majority of the People’s Assembly members must be in agreement. In this case, that did not occur. EOHR reiterates its deep concern, and demands from the Minister of the Interior the following:
– Guarantees for Sabbahi’s safety;
– Disclosure of his whereabouts (so his family and attorney may contact him) and an update on his status;
– His immediate release. His arrest and kidnapping breach Egyptian laws, as well as the Constitution, and are a breach of separation of powers. All entities, including the Executive, must respect the rule of law.
