Zyad El-Elaimy

EGYPT: Lawyer Zyad El-Elaimy sentenced to one year in prison

The OIAD denounces in the strongest possible terms the sentencing of Egyptian lawyer Zyad el-Elaimy to one year in prison for giving an interview to the BBC.

Mr. Zyad el-Elaimy is a human rights lawyer. He gave an interview to the BBC in which he denounced the political practice of enforced disappearances and the use of torture by the authorities. He was recently sentenced to one year in prison in first instance for “spreading false information with the intention of creating panic among the population and disturbing public order”.

The OIAD calls on the Egyptian authorities to respect the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, adopted by the United Nations in Havana in 1990, which provide that :

“Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights...” (Principle No. 23).

The OIAD calls for the immediate release of Mr. Zyad el-Elaimy and the dropping of charges against him.

The OIAD will follow with particular attention the appeal hearing scheduled for 7 April.

Who are we?

The International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger was created by the National Bar Council (France),  the  Paris  Bar  (France),  the  Consejo  General  de  la  Abogacía  Española  (Spain),  and the Consiglio  Nazionale  Forense  (Italy).  Its  goal  is  to  conduct  a  constant  monitoring  on lawyers  facing  threats  around  the  world  because  they lawfully practice their  profession  and to  provide assistance to attorneys whose lives, freedom or practice are threatened.