Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Organisation files petition demanding immediate release of Al Jazeera journalist

- Human Rights Group to file Petition for Relief calling for the immediate release of Mahmoud Hussain

- Journalist has been detained in Egypt since 22nd December 2016

- Petition to be filed with UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

The Robert F Kennedy Human Rights organisation has filed a petition with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention calling for the immediate release of Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein, who has been detained by the Egyptian authorities since 22nd  December 2016.

The Petition for Relief cites the details of Hussein’s arbitrary detention by Egyptian Authorities, the violations of his basic rights, and challenges the unsubstantiated preliminary charges levied against Hussain by the Egyptian Judiciary that have allowed for the continued renewal of his detention.

The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, based in Geneva, is a UN-mandated body staffed by independent human rights experts tasked with investigating cases of arbitrary arrest or detention that may be in violation of international humanitarian law. By working with verified sources, including non-governmental organisations, inter-governmental organisations and victims’ families, the Working Group issues opinions on the compliance with international law and sends urgent appeals to governments to ascertain the whereabouts of conditions of those allegedly detained.

The Petition for Relief requests the Working Group to investigate Hussein’s arrest and ongoing pretrial detention, asks the organization to determine if his detention is a violation of Egypt’s obligations under international law, and calls for Hussein’s immediate release. It also asks the Working Group to ensure that the Egyptian government investigates and holds accountable all persons responsible for the unlawful arrest, continued detention, and mistreatment of Hussein, and award him compensation for the violations he has endured as a result of his unlawful arrest.

The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is a leading international organisation actively working to defend public liberties and human rights. It recently filed a similar petition demanding the release of activist Aya Hijazi, an Egyptian-American charity worker who was released from Egyptian prison in April 2017 after spending three years in detention.

Hussein, an Egyptian national, was detained upon arrival at Cairo International Airport on 19 December 2016 while returning home for a holiday. His passport was confiscated and he was interrogated for more than 15 hours.  

Thereafter, on 22nd December 2016, Hussein was taken from his home and detained by Egyptian security forces.

Since then, his detention has been renewed six times. The latest renewal of Hussein’s detention occurred on Saturday, 29 April 2017, for a period of 45 days, and without formal charges from the public prosecution. He was held in solitary confinement for 89 consecutive days and has been, to date, detained without formal charges for 130 days.

Hussein’s daughter, Zahra, said earlier this month that he suffers from harsh and inhumane conditions that have led to a deterioration in his health and caused him shortness of breath. She said the problems began during his 89 days in solitary conferment in a small cell in Tora prison without heat, water or electricity.

Commenting on the petition, Kerry Kennedy, President of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organisation said: “A free and independent press is a hallmark of a democratic society. This regime has embarked on a systematic crackdown on civil society, and Egypt has become one of the most dangerous places on earth to be a journalist. Mahmoud Hussein’s case is a travesty of justice.”

Al Jazeera Media Network rejects all accusations leveled against Hussein, condemns his incarceration and coerced confessions, and demands his unconditional release. The network holds the Egyptian authorities responsible for Hussein’s safety and well-being. Egyptian authorities have conducted a malicious smear campaign against Hussein across numerous media outlets in Egypt ahead of any formal charges. All these violations are in conflict with international laws, norms and practices under which the freedom of journalism is protected, preserved and cherished.

Several Human Rights and Media organisations have condemned Hussein’s detention and have pressured Egyptian authorities to release him.

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