التاريخ : السبت 04 ابريل 2009 . القسم : Media Statements
Egypt; Interior Ministry mobilizes its forces to face two students
The Arabic Network for Human rights information (ANHRI) condemned renewing the detention of the students Sarah Rezk and Amina Taha for another fifteen days. The network also condemns the ministry as it did not take any procedures against the state security officers who assaulted the two students during and after arrest. Moreover, Sarah and Amina faced really bad conditions in the cell of Kafr El-shiekh police station, where they are being held. Each one of the two young women was handcuffed to a man.
The college security and state security officers arrested Sarah and Amina last Wednesday claiming that they were distributing a statement titled "6th of April Youth.. we"ll take our rights". Afterwards, they assaulted the students, beat them and led them both to the state security headquarter, then they were referred to the attorney general who ordered detaining them 4days, and then renewed this detention for fifteen days. This led the Arabic network"s legal aid team to introduce appeal the decision. The appeal would be examined by Kafr El-shiekh court either tomorrow, or on the 6th of April.
"Shame on the interior ministry to mobilize all its forces to face two students both of them are not older than 19years old." said Gamal Eid the executive director of ANHRI. "Instead of using the security stick, the ministry should have allowed the students to express their peaceful opinions" he added.
Sarah and Amina were arrested and detained as part of the political series of violent actions committed by the ministry against 6th of April movement, after calling for a general peaceful strike, to express the continuity of security oppression and the spread of corruption and unemployment among students and youth. Although their call is legal, the Egyptian police seems to refuse freedom to expression even if it is practiced by writings on the internet or walls. The police began a campaign of arrest and assaults against 6th of April activists in Cairo and other governorates all over Egypt. Arresting Sarah and Amina was part of this campaign.
.It is to be mentioned that, Sarah and Amina are 19years old