Graduate student and human rights researcher Patrick George Zaki was detained and now indicted for allegedly spreading “false news” in the form of an article describing the difficulties he faced in being a Coptic Christian. He is facing up to five years in prison. He has been allegedly subjected to torture and abuse.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/14/egypt-begins-trial-of-researcher-patrick-george-zaki
October 14, 2021
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Office of the President
Al Ittihadia Palace
Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt
p.spokesman@op.gov.eg
Dear President el-Sisi:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
This communication is in regard to the detainment of Patrick George Zaki. After arriving to visit his family on February 7 2020, 30 year old Zaki was detained for nineteen months before his trial. Very recently, he appeared before a special emergency state security court in Mansoura, which normally hears the most serious charges of terrorism. The charges involve allegedly spreading “false news” in and out of Egypt, in the form of an article describing the difficulties he faced in being a Coptic Christian. Zaki may be sentenced to up to five years in prison. He cannot appeal any sentence that is rendered by this court.
Zaki was studying for a Master’s degree in gender and women’s studies at the University of Bologna in Italy, on leave from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) at the time of his arrest.
The Committee is concerned that these charges simply stem from Zaki’s identity as a Coptic Christian, his work in human rights, and his peaceful critique of Egyptian society in one article. The use of one of the highest security courts to prosecute Zaki for one article is an overreach. The Committee is especially concerned that there has quite possibility been torture or abuse during his detention. The charges appear to be part of a recurring pattern of targeting academic students for the subjects they are studying, which resulted in the death of Italian national Giulio Regeni in 2016.
We write to urge you to ensure that Zaki is treated fairly and that he is provided with adequate medical treatment, regular access to family and independent legal representation. Of greatest importance is that Zaki should have the ability to appeal the verdict that comes down. We further urge that whatever legal proceedings are held in his case meet international standards for fair trials, including speed and timeliness. If the charges are simply political in origin, he must be released immediately and unconditionally. These charges directly contradict the National Strategy for Human Rights 2021-2026 put forth by you only days before the indictment.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will be closely following developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Cc:
Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520 USA
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Twitter: @ABlinken
Ambassador Motaz Zahran
Ambassador of Egypt to the United States
3521 International Court NW,
Washington, DC, United States 20008
consulate@egyptembassy.net
Phone: (202) 895-5400
Twitter: @MotazZahran
Sameh Hassan Shoukry
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Egypt Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Masbero-Kornish El Nile Street
Cairo, Egypt
Contact.Us@mfa.gov.eg
Phone: 25796334/39 – 25772500
Fax: 25748822