According to news reports, Professors Mostafa Zidan and Magdy Khalifa were arrested in Egypt on charges of belonging to the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Both academics are on hunger strikes in protest of their conditions, including ill treatment and harsh conditions. The allegation of harsh treatment and the resulting hunger strikes seem to imply that rights have not been granted, rights which are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Egypt is a signatory as of 1982.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
Arab Republic of Egypt
c/o Embassy of Egypt to the United States
3521 International Court NW
Washington DC 20008September 15, 2014
Your Excellency:
We write now in concern for Professors Mostafa Zidan and Magdy Khalifa.
Dr. Zidan is a professor at the National Institute of Laser Studies. Khalifa is a professor at the College of Applied Arts. According to news reports, both were arrested on charges of belonging to the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
Both academics are on hunger strikes in protest of their conditions. Zidan is suffering ill treatment and harsh conditions. A number of university professors protested in front of Cairo University demanding the immediate release of their colleagues from prison. Several other detainees have recently started hunger strikes to protest their imprisonment.
We are seriously disturbed by our colleagues’ alleged treatment because we believe that every person is entitled to due process of law, a fair trial, and opportunity to have access to family, medical care and counsel in jail. The allegation of harsh treatment and the resulting hunger strikes seem to imply that rights have not been granted, rights which are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Egypt is a signatory as of 1982.
We therefore respectfully request that you investigate this situation and assure that Professors Zidan and Khalifa are afforded full opportunities to humane prison conditions, as well as a fair trial, due process during imprisonment, and medical care if needed.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich,
Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander GreerCo-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists