August 2005

AI Index: MDE 12/029/2005

Egypt

Torture and secret detention

Testimony of the ‘disappeared’ in the ‘war on terror’

ACTION SHEET 4 – Egyptian authorities

AT RISK OF TORTURE OR ILL-TREATMENT IN UNKNOWN LOCATION

Osama Nasr Mostafa Hassanwas abducted on a street in Milan and allegedly driven to the US air base in Aviano, Italy, where he was interrogated and drugged before being taken to the US military base in Ramstein in Germany. From there he was flown to Egypt, where he was allegedly tortured, including with electric shocks. Although released in 2004 he was rearrested and remains held in an unknown place of detention, although it has been suggested that he may again be detained in Damanhour prison, Egypt, where he may be at risk of torture or ill-treatment. On 24 June 2005 an Italian judge ordered the arrest of 13 CIA officers for their alleged involvement in his abduction.

The widespread and systematic practice of torture in Egypt has persisted despite its prohibition under domestic and international law. For well over a decade, specialized UN expert bodies, including the Committee against Torture and international and national human rights organizations have been documenting cases of torture and ill-treatment, including deaths in custody in Egypt.

 For more details on these cases, please see AI’s report Torture and secret detention: Testimony of the ‘disappeared’ in the ‘war on terror’.

AI Index: AMR 51/108/2005http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engamr511082005  For more information on the campaign, including appeals, see http://web.amnesty.org/pages/stoptorture-index-eng To take further action, please keep reading...

Call on the Egyptian authorities to:

STOPsecret detentions and torture and ill-treatment

 Clarify the location where Osama Nasr Mostafa Hassan was previously held. Clarify whether he remains in detention in Egypt and if so, clarify details of the charges against him.

 If he is currently held in Egypt, ensure that he is being humanely treated and not subjected to torture or ill-treatment.

 Immediately end all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by Egyptian officials.

INVESTIGATEall allegations of torture and other ill-treatment

 Investigate all allegations or torture and other ill-treatment against Osama Nasr Mostafa Hassan.

PROSECUTEanyone found responsible for human rights violations

 Investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, wherever it has occurred.

 Ensure that anyone found responsible for human rights violations is brought to justice in fair proceedings.

 Make it clear to all officials involved in the treatment or interrogation of detainees and prisoners that torture and ill-treatment are prohibited absolutely and will not be tolerated.

RELEASE OR FAIR TRIAL

 If Osama Nasr Mostafa Hassan is detained in Egypt, ensure that he is promptly prosecuted for internationally recognizable criminal offences and in accordance with international standards of fairness – otherwise he should be released.

Write to:

Minister of the Interior Minister of the Justice

General Habib Ibrahim El Adly Counsellor Mahmoud Abu El Lail Rashed

Ministry of the Interior Ministry of the Justice

Al-Sheikh Rihan Street Midan Lazoghly

Bab al-Louk Cairo

Cairo EGYPT

EGYPT Fax: +20 2 795 8103 / 795 5700

Fax: + 20 2 579 2031 E-mail: mojeb@idsc.gov.eg

E-mail: moi@idsc.gov.eg mojeb@idsc1.gov.eg

moi2@idsc.gov.eg

moi1@idsc.gov.eg

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