Franziska Brantner fordert Ende von Verhaftungen und Militärprozessen in Ägypten

Ägyptische Sicherheitskräfte haben am Sonntag in Kairo mehrere Personen festgenommen, die sich friedlich für den demokratischen Wandel im Land eingesetzt haben. Darunter befanden sich auch prominente Mitglieder der Jugendbewegung, die die ägyptische Revolution mitinitiiert hat; mit einigen von ihnen stand Franziska Brantner seit Monaten in direktem Kontakt. Auf Initiative von Franziska Brantner und Marietje Schaake haben Europaabgeordnete die jüngsten Ereignisse parteiübergreifend verurteilt und die EU-Außenbeauftragte Catherine Ashton in einem Brief dringlich dazu aufgefordert, die Verhaftungswelle sowie die massenhaften Militärprozesse gegen Zivilisten im Namen der Europäischen Union zu verurteilen.

Lesen Sie im Folgenden die Pressemitteilung und den Brief an Catherine Ashton im Volltext (in Englisch):

Press release – Brussels, 16.08.11
Arrests and military trials of Egyptian pro-democracy activists must end

The Egyptian authorities arrested on Sunday several peaceful pro-democracy activists in Cairo, among them prominent leaders of the youth movement that sparked the Egyptian revolution. A cross-party alliance of MEPs have deplored these events and urgently asked EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton in a letter to express the EU’s deep concern about the large-scale unlawful detentions as well as the ongoing military trials of civilians.

The MEPs are very worried about statements made by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which has accused several youth movements and individuals of inciting violence and creating unrest. In the last few months thousands of demonstrators have been sentenced to years in prison by military courts without access to a lawyer

Marietje Schaake MEP (ALDE) stated: “Civilians have the right to transparent and fair trials before independent civil courts, and should not be tried at all for merely speaking freely or for peacefully assembling. Human rights should be guaranteed under any future state model.” According to Ms Schaake it is high time the EU ensures it’s commitment to Egypt’s development and offer its partnership to an Egypt based on principles of human rights, the rule of law, social justice and economic development.

The Egyptian authorities have voiced support for and protection of the revolution of January 25, which include freedom of expression and justice.

Franziska Brantner MEP (GREENS) adds: “The Egyptian authorities’ commitment to the democratic transformation of their country would be much more credible if freedom of speech and civilians’ rights to a fair trial were fully respected. Egypt’s leadership in the Arab world and beyond depends on the ability of the Egyptian authorities to protect and uphold the values of the January 25 revolution.”

Please find a copy of the letter to Ms Ashton here.