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Freedom of expression is missing despite a decision banning imprisonment for press crimes
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Retaliatory Measures Against Blogger Dia Eddin Gad in Katta Prison
Following the ruling party, a condition for his release
Cairo 23 March 2009
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information vehemently condemned today the administration of Katta Prison for taking retaliatory measures against Dia Eddin Gad, who has been detained there since he was kidnapped on February 6th. Dia has been locked in solitary confinement and deprived of sunlight. He was also deprived of medical care and was threatened with death. ANHRI fears that these retaliatory measures are due to his refusal, along with his family, to join the ruling National Democratic Party. An official with the party proposed that Dia be released once he joins the NDP.
A prominent member of the NDP, in Tanta, went to the kidnapped blogger's family's house and asked his family to fill in a membership form and give him a photo of Dia. The official wanted him to get a membership card as a price for his release. Dia's mother refused to cooperate.
Dia's mother said the NDP member came to the house in a luxury car and was wearing expensive clothes. He asked me to give him a photo of Dia and to fill in a membership form for my son to join the NDP, to get him out of prison. "We do not belong to parties" the mother told him.
When Dia's mother visited her son in prison she discovered that he had suffered a large amount of weight loss and had a racking cough. Dia told his mother that they lock him in solitary confinement and that he is deprived of sunlight and does not get the medication needed for his pectoral illness. When he filed a complaint to the prison's commissioner he was threatened with death. He was told that "all that is needed is a shovel, a hole, and a soldier to bury you".
ANHRI said these blatant violations represent punishable criminal acts, but alas there is no authority to punish the interior ministry's goons or the NDP. They are empowered by the emergency law and have been for thirty years.
ANHRI said Dia's current status is part of a series of crimes against him for writing an article on his blog that angered the Egyptian government. He was kidnapped, tortured, detained extra legally in the headquarters of the state security, and was humiliated and denied medical care. On top of all that, he was threatened with murder … even terrorists are not treated this way.
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information asserts that impunity has mushroomed in Egypt. ANHRI addresses the public and international community, to inform everyone of this ongoing crime. This crime is on the hands of the National Democratic Party and its security body.
Anyone who objects to these crimes can speak out against them by contacting:
The minister of the interior General/ Habib al-Adli
The ministry of the interior
25 Sheikh Rihan street- Bab el-Louk
Cairo, Egypt
Fax: 27960682
Email: moi@idsc.gov.eg
The Attorney Genera/ Justice Adbdel Majid Mahmoud
Supreme Justice Council
Ramsis street- Cairo-Egypt
Fax: 25774716
Whoever lives outside Egypt can send complaints to Egyptian embassies abroad
more information on Dia's case:
25 Feb 2009
http://anhri.net/en/reports/2009/pr0225.shtml
9 Feb 2009
http://anhri.net/en/reports/2009/pr0209-2.shtml
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