Tomorrow, Amnesty International Ireland activists and staff will hold a lunchtime demonstration outside the Egyptian embassy to mark the fourth anniversary of Ibrahim Halawa’s arrest. Ibrahim, who was just 17 at the time of his arrest, has spent 1,460 days in prison awaiting trial. During that time, he has endured more than 30 adjournments in his mass trial, as Egypt continues to ignore its obligations under both Egyptian and international human rights law.
“Amnesty International has conducted a thorough, independent review of the prosecution evidence and concluded that Ibrahim was arrested solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of assembly and expression. Ibrahim is a Prisoner of Conscience. He has spent four years imprisoned in Egypt, when he should rightfully be at home in Dublin with his family, friends and loved ones. His ongoing detention is an inexcusable violation of both international and Egyptian law. Given the length of his imprisonment and the horrific circumstances of his detention, Amnesty International continues to be gravely concerned for both his mental and physical wellbeing. We reiterate our call that the Egyptian authorities drop all charges against Ibrahim and order his immediate and unconditional release. We also urge the Irish Government to continue working on his behalf and to use every means at their disposal to secure his release,” said Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland.
Ibrahim faces a mass trial alongside 493 other defendants, which cannot meet the standards required for a fair trial as defined under international human rights law. He was arrested, along with his three sisters, while taking sanctuary in the Al Fath mosque. While his sisters were released on bail, Ibrahim has been incarcerated for four years awaiting trial.
The demonstration takes place at 1pm on Thursday, 17 August outside the Egyptian Embassy at 12 Clyde Road, Dublin 4.