URGENT ACTION

Egyptian national executed

Amnesty International has just learnt that Atef Rohyum Abd El Al Rohyum was executed by hanging on 11 March. His family were not informed of his execution until they were asked to pick up the body.

In Egypt, executions are not made public until after they have been carried out. Condemned prisoners are not told the date and time of their execution, and in practice their families are not made aware of the execution until they are called to collect the body – despite claims by the Egyptian authorities that relatives are permitted to visit the condemned person on the day appointed for execution.

Atef Rohyum Abd El Al Rohyumwas executed despite evidence suggesting he was not guilty of the murder for which he was condemned. His family was not made aware that his appeal, filed with the Public Prosecutor in May 2009, had failed, despite a formal request made this Tuesday for information on its status.

No further action is requested from the UA network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.

This is the first update of UA 57/10 Index: MDE 12/013/2010. Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE12/013/2010/en

Further information on UA: 57/10 Index: MDE 12/014/2010 Issue Date: 12 March 2010

URGENT ACTION

Additional Information

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases, irrespective of the crimes that were committed, on the grounds that it violates the right to life and constitutes the ultimate form of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

UA: 57/10 Index: MDE 12/013/2010 Issue Date: 12 March 2010