Press releases

ACIJLP praises Algeria’s steps towards the abolition of the death penalty

14 October, 2008

The Arab Center for Independence of the judiciary and the legal profession (ACIJLP) expressed its satisfaction with the preliminary steps, taken by the Algerian government on the abolition of the death penalty and its replacement with alternative sanctions within the framework of the Algerian government’s plan on reforms in the justice sector. Thus, Algeria is the first Arab country to take serious steps towards the abolition of the death penalty, which had suspended their implementation since 1993 in addition to Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.

This step made by the Algerian government – if it is successful in the abolition of the death penalty – will be regarded as an important step in protecting the right to life, which is the most sacred right enshrined in the principles of divine or drafted laws. International legislations and conventions agreed on pledging not to harm it and banned its violation under any circumstance.

While the Center welcomes this step, it indicates the seriousness of the implementation of the death penalty especially if these sentences issued through criminal trials that lack of fair and equitable trial standards, or through military or extraordinary justice, which are often used to get rid of opponents.

The Center paying tribute to the Algerian Government directions and it calls upon other Arab governments to take into their account the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those persons who face the death penalty which are adopted by the UN Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1984/50 of 25 May 1984. Particularly Article V which states that ” death penalty shouldn’t be implemented without a final decision issued by a competent court after legal process which gives all possible safeguards to ensure a fair trial at least equal to those guarantees mentioned in article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the right of any person suspected or charged of committing a crime punishable by death to have adequate legal assistance at all stages of trial. “

And also to give consideration to the decision of the United Nations General Assembly No. 62/149 in December 18, 2007, which supported the call for a global abolition of executions.

The Center also calls upon the Arab States to reduce in the use of the death penalty and to reduce the number of crimes that are punishable by death, and to replace them with alternative penalties as a start towards the abolition of the death penalty to protect the right to life.

On the 39th anniversary of the September revolution, Libyan authorities release 128 Egyptians

28 August, 2008

On the anniversary of the 1^st September revolution the Libyan authorities have released 128 Egyptians imprisoned in Libyan prisons. The Libyan authorities release and pardon a number of prisoners, both Libyan and other nationalities each year on the occasion of the revolution.

Thirty Egyptian prisoners were released at the beginning of this year pursuant to the decision of the Revolutionary Command Council to release 772 Libyans, Arabs and foreigners convicted of various criminal crimes and who had served half their sentences.

On the occasion of the anniversary of the revolution, the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) has sent a letter to the Libyan prosecutor general and head of the Libyan judicial police body urging the release of Egyptians sentenced to death or life imprisonment and who are currently imprisoned in Libya prisons.

In its letter, ACIJLP mentioned eight Egyptians who had engaged in reconciliation measures with according to the Libyan Reconcilation and Deyya Law. They are, Abdel Halim El-Sayyed Abdel Halim Moussa, Hussein El-Sayyed Darwish, Farahat Abdo Farahat, Samy Fathy Abd Rabbo, Adel Abdel Azim Omar Mohamed El-Gazawy, Mohamed Omar Ibrahim Abd Rabbo El-Gazawy, Ihab Magdy Meshraqy Rafael and Fadl Ismail Hateeta. Release orders for these men is in line with the Libyan judicial verdicts and legislation applicable in this matter.

ACIJLP also pointed out that pardons for those condemned to death is in line with the Libyan president’s directives on the abolishment of the death penalty and its replacement with alternative punishments.

The continuing siege of the Kalma camp aggravates the humanitarian crisis for civilians in Darfur

26 August, 2008

For the second day, the suffering of civilians living in “Kalma” camp for internally homeless (in the east of “Nyala” city, South of “Darfur” region) is continued; given the continuing blockade on the camp by the Sudanese government forces. Through the Center’s follow-up of the situation in the camp, it has received reports of increasing rates of human suffering of children and women, where the Centre received information indicating the disappearance of nearly 70 children. Those children are likely being dead, given the deteriorating conditions inside the camp. In addition, approximately 45 women subjected to abortion.

The information indicated that the camp is currently under the siege of 100 military vehicles “Land Cruiser” equipped with heavy weapons.

Worth mentioning, that the government forces attacked “Kalma” camp for internally forced displaced persons inside Darfur, which includes more than 170 thousand displaced persons, on August 25 2008. These attacks have resulted in the death of nearly 170 civilians and wounded hundreds of children and women, this attack also led to the burning and looting of civilian properties along with the destruction of the headquarters of one of the humanitarian organizations working in this camp, it is called “El Amal” Center for treatment and legal advice.

Today August 26^th 2008, the eye witnesses in the “Kalma” camp informed about the continuing siege of military vehicles and preventing reporters and news agencies from covering those events.

These attacks represent a serious violation of the international law in general and the international humanitarian law, especially Article III common of the four Geneva Conventions, in terms of requiring parties to armed conflicts to not to be subjected to civilians.

The Centre expresses its extreme concern over the aggravation of the humanitarian crisis of civilians in the camp especially women and children, and it calls on the international community and humanitarian relief organizations especially the “International Red Cross” to interfere immediately and urgently to reduce the growing humanitarian crisis inside the camp. Moreover, it demands the Sudanese government to commit with its international commitments and to allow relief organizations to play their role without hindrance.

Another attack on civilians in Darfour

25 August, 2008

The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) expresses its extreme concern about the increase in civilians facing a new humanitarian crisis in Darfour, and without any real action by the international community.

ACIJLP received news about civilians being subjected to attacks by Sudanese government forces in the “Kalma” camp for forcibly displaced people in south Darfour on 25^th August 2008. More than 170,000 displaced people live in the camp.

These attacks resulted in the killing for nearly 170 civilians and hundreds of injuries to women and children. They also resulted in the civilians’ belongings being burnt and plundered. This is in addition to the destruction of the headquarters of a humanitarian organisation working in the camp, “El Amal” Center for Medical Treatment and Legal Consultation.

Eyewitnesses who were in the “Kalma” camp on 25^th August state that a number of military vehicles foot soldiers took part in the attacks. The camp remains under a military cordon: correspondents and news agencies have been prevented from covering these events.

These attacks are a serious violation of international law in general, and international humanitarian law in particular, especially Common Article 3 of the Four Geneva Conventions which obliges parties to an armed conflict to refrain from attacking civilians.

ACIJLP condemns the targeting of Sudanese civilians in Darfour, and calls on the Sudanese government to abide by the provisions of international humanitarian law on unarmed civilians and immediately stop the violations being committed in the “Kalma” camp.

ACIJLP also calls on the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to intervene in order to document the violations which occurred today and conduct an urgent criminal inquiry into the most recent violations in the “Kalma” camp for internally displaced people.

On the occasion of the 39th Great El-Fateh. Revolution AnniversaryACIJLP appeals to the Libyan authorities to release the Egyptians convicts to death and life sentences

6 August, 2008

Within the context of continues efforts made by the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession to release of Egyptians convicted by the Libyan judiciary with penalties ranging from death to life imprisonment, who are existing now in the Libyan prisons, the Center extended an appeal letter to the Libyan judicial police for the release of the Egyptian convicts On the occasion of the 39^th Great El-Fateh Revolution Anniversary, in which several amnesties are issued for prisoners and convicts in the Libyan prisons.

The Centre indicated, in his letter to Libyan judicial police department, that there are nearly eight Egyptians convicted persons who had made reconciliation procedures with the victims’ relatives, according to the Libyan reconciliation law, which make the decisions released consistent with Libyan legislations and laws in force in this regard .

It also pointed out that the pardon decisions of those persons convicted to death penalty, are in accordance with the directions of the Libyan leader to abolish the death penalty and to replace alternative penalties.

Press release: Provisional agreement between ACIJLP and the Libyan judicial authorities for a solution to the crisis of the Egyptians sentenced to death and life imprisonment in Libya

2 July, 2008

The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJP) have reached a joint provisional agreement with the Libyan judicial authorities concerned with the case of the Egyptians sentenced to death. Steps will be taken by both sides in order to solve the crisis of the Egyptians sentenced to death who are currently imprisoned in Libya.

This agreement was reached through meetings and discussions held from 22^nd – 27^th June 2008 between ACIJLP director Nasser Amin and Lieutenant Belqasim Qarqoum, head of the Judicial Police Body of the Popular General Committee for Justice, and Mohamed Tarneesh, the executive director of the Gaddafi Development Foundation’s Human Rights Association.

It is envisaged that these steps, once completed, will lead to the release of five Egyptians sentenced to death, in accordance with the Libyan Reconciliation and Compensation Law No. 6 of Hejri year 1423. It is also expected that these steps will lead to the reduction of the sentence from the death penalty to life imprisonment for the rest of the men sentenced to death under Libyan Law 48 of the year 1956 and the amendments made to it 2000.

In addition, important points of agreement were reached surrounding the crisis of the Egyptians sentenced to life imprisonment and who are currently being held in Libyan prisons.

These agreements were reached within the context of the joint cooperation between ACIJLP and the Libyan lawyers and judicial bodies concerned, and cooperation between Libyan civil society institutions, in particular the Gaddafi Development Foundation’s Human Rights Association and the E’tassemo Charitable Association.