Document - Uruguay: Further Information on Forcible return/risk of torture and unfair trial, Al-Sayid Hassan Mukhlis.
PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 52/004/2003
08 July 2003
Further Information on UA 142/03 (AMR 52/003/2003, 20 May 2003) Forcible return/risk of torture new concerns: death penalty/unfair trial
URUGUAY / EGYPT Al-Sayid Hassan Mukhlis (m), Egyptian National
On 7 July, the Uruguayan authorities forcibly returned Al-Sayid Hassan Mukhlis to Egypt following an extradition request from the Egyptian authorities.
On 6 May, Uruguay’s Supreme Court approved the extradition of Al-Sayid Hassan Mukhlis to Egypt in principle, but was reportedly awaiting agreement from the Egyptian government on the conditions of his extradition. Amnesty International has not been able to receive confirmation as to whether the Uruguayan government received assurances from the Egyptian authorities that he would not be subjected to human rights violations, such as the death penalty, torture or unfair trial.
Al-Sayid Hassan Mukhlis was arrested in January 1999 when he reportedly entered Uruguay on false travel documents. The Egyptian authorities have sought Al-Sayid Hassan Mukhlis' extradition for his alleged involvement in human rights abuses conducted by the armed Islamist opposition group al-Gama‘a al-Islamiya (Islamic Group).
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Arabic, Spanish or your own language:
To the Uruguayan authorities:
- expressing concern that Al-Sayid Hassan Mukhlis was forcibly returned to Egypt on 7 July;
- urging the authorities to ensure that he is not subjected to human rights violations, including a possible death penalty, torture or an unfair trial in Egypt;
- urging the government to end the forcible return of any person to a country where they are at risk of serious human rights violations, in accordance with Uruguay's international obligations, including the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
To the Egyptian authorities:
- seeking assurances that Al-Sayid Hassan Mukhlis is being humanely treated in detention and that he is given regular access to lawyers of his choice;
- seeking assurances that if tried, Al-Sayid Hassan Mukhlis will receive a fair trial in accordance with international standards for fair trial, and that he will not be sentenced to death;
- reminding the government of the absolute prohibition on torturein customary international law and of their commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular Article 5: "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment".
APPEALS TO:
To the Uruguayan authorities:
Presidente de la República
Dr. Jorge Batlle
Presidencia de la República
Edificio Libertad
Av. Dr. Luis Alberto de Herrera 3350
Montevideo, Uruguay
Telegram: Presidente de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
Fax: + 598 2 480 9397 (If someone answers say 'Fax, por favor')
Salutation: Excmo. Sr. Presidente / Dear President
Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores
Dr. Didier Opertti
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
Edificio Nuevo, Colonia 1206
Montevideo, Uruguay
Telegram: Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Montevideo, Uruguay
Fax: + 598 2 902 1349
Salutation: Sr. Ministro/Dear Minister
COPIES TO:
Uruguayan AI Section
Colonia 871
Apto. 5
CP 11100
Montevideo, Uruguay
APPEALS TO:
To the Egyptian authorities:
His Excellency Mohammad Hosni Mubarak
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
'Abedine Palace, Cairo, Egypt
Telegram: President Mubarak, Cairo, Egypt
E-mail: webmaster@presidency.gov.eg - (e-mails sent to this address may bounce; please re-send by air-mail)
Fax: + 202 390 1998
Telex: 93794 WAZRA UN
Salutation: Your Excellency
His Excellency General Habib al-Adeli
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
Al-Sheikh Rihan Street
Bab al-Louk, Cairo, Egypt
Telegram: Minister of Interior, Cairo, Egypt
E-mail: moi@idsc.gov.eg
Fax: + 202 579 2031
Salutation: Dear Minister
and to diplomatic representatives of Uruguay / Egypt accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 19 August 2003.