Conflicts
AFRICA, AHMED, AHMED KAMEL, ASIA, BADAOUI, DISPATCH, EAST EYE, EGYPT, EUROPE/ASIA, EYE, HUMAN RIGHTS, INTERPOL, ISRAEL, JEDDAH, JERUSALEM, JUSTICE, KAMEL, MIDDLE EAST, NEW YORK, NORTH AMERICA, PALESTINE, PRISON SENTENCE, SAUDI ARABIA, SOUTHERN JEDDAH, TERRORISM, TURKEY, UNITED STATES
Omar El-Sharif
Concerns Rise as Saudi Arabia Plans to Deport Activist Ahmed Kamel Back to Egypt
Ahmed Kamel, an activist facing life imprisonment and torture in Egypt for past protests, is set to be deported from Saudi Arabia. Despite his flight to Saudi Arabia and attempts to gain an American visa, he was detained under a red notice from Egypt. Human rights groups are calling for his release, citing risks under international law.
Saudi Arabia plans to deport activist Ahmed Kamel to Egypt, where he could face life imprisonment and torture for his involvement in pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011 and 2014, as reported by various human rights organizations. Ahmed Kamel, who was previously detained and tortured in Egypt, fled to Saudi Arabia and has since been living in Jeddah. On December 10, 2021, he was sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison on charges related to those protests, including incitement and possession of explosives, claims which his wife disputes as unfounded.
His recent troubles began when Egyptian authorities issued a “red notice” via Interpol, leading to his arrest in Saudi Arabia after a background check at the Egyptian embassy. Despite his requests to stay in Saudi Arabia, Kamel was detained again under charges that have not been formally communicated to him. As Kamel’s plight worsens, a coalition of rights groups has urged for his release, emphasizing that his deportation could violate the principle of “non-refoulement,” which protects individuals from being sent to countries where they are likely to face torture. The situation highlights Egypt’s persistent efforts to prosecute exiled activists under dubious charges as part of a broader campaign against dissenters.
The case of Ahmed Kamel illustrates the severe repercussions faced by activists in Egypt, particularly those involved in anti-government protests. Following the mass demonstrations of the Arab Spring, which included widespread calls for political reform, activists like Kamel have found themselves targeted by state authorities. His entanglement with the criminal justice system reflects the broader trend of human rights abuses in Egypt, especially against those who oppose the government. Recent reports suggest that Egyptian authorities have intensified their efforts to extradite these individuals from abroad under pretexts that may include fabricated charges. The principle of “non-refoulement” is crucial in this context, as it prevents the deportation of individuals to countries where they would likely experience severe human rights violations. This principle is enshrined in international treaties, which both Egypt and Saudi Arabia have committed to uphold. Activists and rights organizations are increasingly vigilant regarding the mechanisms used by states, such as Interpol notices, which may serve to facilitate these extraditions.
The imminent deportation of Ahmed Kamel to Egypt poses significant risks to his safety and well-being, highlighting the perilous conditions faced by dissenters in the region. Rights groups are vocal in their opposition, stressing that such actions violate established international obligations. The situation serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for human rights and justice for activists who have sought refuge from oppressive regimes. It underscores the urgent necessity for advocacy against the abuse of legal mechanisms that endanger human lives.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
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