CAIRO -
The head of the Egyptian (liberal) Reform and Development Party, Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat, said that the recent releases of some prisoners of conscience come within the framework of what he described as the new general trend of the state, indicating that "there will be great openness and reforms during the coming period in the file of political rights and freedoms." However, this will happen gradually and gradually," he said.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Net, Al-Sadat (who is the nephew of the late President Anwar Sadat), added that "for the first time in many years there are open channels through which dialogue, understanding and consultation take place to study the cases of political detainees, and this is a major shift that did not exist in the past, Now, whether in the Public Prosecution or the security services, there are those who listen, debate, study and return to us with answers, and this is a major and tangible shift in the human rights scene.”
The head of the Reform and Development Party stressed that "the future will witness more releases and breakthroughs, and this is our goal and ambition, and the issue will not depend on specific groups of names, but the issue is open and extended to include everyone who feels injustice in Egypt."
On the other hand, Sadat expected the official launch of the National Human Rights Strategy at the end of this July, citing the reasons for postponing its launch to the events that Egypt is going through during the current period.
He explained that their movements are not only focused on the human rights side, but also seek to dismantle the political crisis the country is going through, and "this is what we are working on with the Senate, and there will be hearings to discuss the role of political parties and how to strengthen them during the next session in October." October".
During the past two days, the Egyptian security released 6 journalists and political activists, after "mediation carried out by the International Dialogue Group headed by Sadat," according to the Arab Media Freedom Observatory.
As a result, some activists and tweeters on social media thanked Anwar El-Sadat for his role in these releases and the efforts he is making to improve the human rights situation, after years that witnessed widespread arrests and multiple prosecutions of opposing voices from all shades and political orientations.
Praise be to God, Mahienour has been released from prison and will be back with her family.
I am bewildered with joy, and I claim that our joy will continue with the release of the rest of the young men.
I would like, by the way, to thank Professor Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat, who is truly never late for helping us communicate with the government and does not waste his time on us and does not complain no matter how much we fornicate. him pic.twitter.com/DtP0EIi1tS
— Ghada Shahbender (@ghadasha) July 18, 2021
On March 27, El-Sadat announced the launch of the "International Dialogue Group for the Nation" initiative, stressing that "the initiative is making sincere national efforts aimed at building bridges of trust with international partners and friends in all issues and topics of controversy and contention, and researching citizens' complaints. Through dialogue with the official channels of the Egyptian state.
Below is the full text of the interview:
What are the dimensions of the recent releases against some prisoners of conscience?
These decisions come within the framework of the state’s openness now to this “important” file, especially in light of the stability of the situation today, and the interest in development, which makes it listen to those who seek to improve the situation, and this is an experience that I have seen and lived through myself during the recent period.
For the first time, there are dialogues through open channels with the Public Prosecutor's Office and the relevant security services, where we present to them cases of prisoners detained in connection with cases of opinion or demonstration or any issues related to political activity in general, and then they study these cases and review the conditions of their owners, and indeed a response occurs By releasing some of them or postponing other cases for some time.
Consequently, I see that what is happening at the present time is a transformation in the human rights scene, and this was met with joy and positive reactions, and it is sufficient that we contribute to bringing happiness and pleasure to some Egyptian families, especially in light of the atmosphere of Eid al-Adha and these blessed days.
But don't the current releases contrast with the recent arrests, the latest of which was the detention of journalist Abdel Nasser Salama?
Each case has its own circumstances, but I confirm that the general trend of the authority at present says that there will be great openness, and many reforms during the coming period in the file of political rights and freedoms, but this will happen gradually and gradually.
Therefore, it is necessary to be optimistic, try and strive to complete and succeed this new trend soon.
Do your requests for release mainly focus on political detainees from the liberal forces, or do they include all the different currents?
We do not focus on a specific political trend, but our focus is specifically on young activists, politicians, media professionals and journalists, and we deal with those whose complaints or grievances we receive for humanitarian reasons related to the period of pretrial detention, but all cases related to criminal offenses or misdemeanors are governed by the penal laws, this is not a matter relationship to us.
Were these releases a result of international pressure on the Egyptian regime?
I think that this is not true, and from my personal experience I say that in Egypt over the past years we used to have many statements, calls and demands from parliaments and governments in Europe and America to release some detainees or improve conditions, but this matter did not represent any pressure. It is true on the Egyptian authorities, and there was no response in the sense that some might imagine, but there is no doubt that what comes from Western governments is listened to and taken into consideration, but these Western moves were not the reason for the response of the authority.
Consequently, these releases are not linked to any international pressure, and the efforts of loyalists in the Egyptian state should not be underestimated, whether from the prosecution, judiciary, security or some politicians who are working hard and trying to contribute to deciphering these pending files.
The American newspaper, Politico, said that there is a discussion within the administration of President Joe Biden regarding suspending all or some of the military aid provided to Cairo, estimated at $300 million, due to the human rights situation.. How do you view this matter?
This is not new;
It has been repeated in word and deed over the past ten years, as there is always a threat to cut or reduce aid and aid, and this matter sometimes happened during the era of the late President Hosni Mubarak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
And the Egyptian state today has not and will not be affected by the ban or suspension of $100 million or $300 million or even more, because we all see the volume of public spending in the economy, development, armament, etc., but this does not mean that we reject aid or aid, on the contrary, we are keen for it to continue. .
Therefore, I do not think that threatening to cut or reduce aid will be a pressure on Egyptian policies, and it will not work;
Egyptian policies must stem from the Egyptian administration itself, as well as from Egyptian politicians and thinkers, who are the first to propose solutions and initiatives aimed at correcting the wrong situation.
Since when did you start submitting lists to the concerned authorities in order to release her?
The International Dialogue Group, which includes deputies from both chambers of parliament and representatives of civil society and parties - and we are concerned with the issues of the homeland at home and abroad and are keen on Egypt's reputation and the rule of justice, the implementation of the law and equality for all - the initiative to submit lists began about 6 months ago, and this initiative is not partisan;
Do not follow the Reform and Development Party or others, because it is an independent initiative that strives to communicate with the international community, as well as at home with anyone who has a grievance or complaint, and then we seek to put this into the hands of state officials and all concerned parties for research and study.
How many lists have you made so far?
How many people does it include?
The number in particular is not in my mind now, but we dealt with many cases, most of them related to the problem of pretrial detention, which we give a high priority, especially those who have been in pretrial detention for long periods without being brought to trial or dealing with their files permanently.
What criteria did you set in choosing the names of political detainees?
We are completely open to any names we receive, as we review them and communicate with the relevant authorities regarding them, and here we are talking about issues related to political activity, freedom of opinion and expression, participation in demonstrations or incitement, or cases of travel ban or anticipation of arrival, or cases from inside prisons. They need medical care and treatment, or books for students or those studying for masters and doctoral degrees, so as long as these cases were not related to calls for violence and atonement or the carrying of arms, we adopt them and strive to release them.
Bearing in mind that there are other cases that we receive regarding some of those who have received final judgments when we can do nothing about them, because they require a presidential pardon.
How would you describe the official authorities' handling of the lists that you submit?
Very positive, for the first time in many years there are open channels through which dialogue, understanding and consultation take place to study these cases that are presented, and this is a great shift that did not exist in the past, and there are now, whether in the Public Prosecution or the security services, who listen, debate, study and come back to us with an answer stating the acceptance of this case, the postponement of that or the refusal of another at this stage;
Since we have reasons that we may not be able to announce now, therefore, it all depends on dialogue and inter-discussions.
What are your expectations for what will happen in the future regarding the prisoners of conscience file?
Certainly, this file will witness in the future more releases and breakthroughs and a human rights solution, and this is our goal and ambition, and the case will not depend on specific groups, but rather the issue is open and extended to include all those who feel injustice.
We want to preserve the dignity of the Egyptian citizen, whoever he is, even if he transgresses in good faith. This is not a big problem or a mistake that deserves punishment. Rather, he has the right to exercise his life and his role in society, and by the way, no one who is released is required to change his principles and convictions. Rather, it is only required to reduce the intensity, abuse and abuse in the speech, so that the language is acceptable even if you are against the system.
Overall, we expect to see a significant improvement in the human rights situation.
Why was the launch of the national strategy for human rights postponed?
The postponement was due to the events that Egypt is going through these days, but I expect to announce it officially at the end of this month, and we will not be long in that.
Have you seen the final version of the National Strategy for Human Rights?
What is your overall assessment of it?
Indeed, I reviewed it, and I was aware of its details, and some members of the International Dialogue Group, such as Ambassador Moushira Khattab, were among the participants in drafting and crystallizing it, but let's wait until it is officially launched, because it will talk about many things, and if it is implemented well, it will be a very big shift. In the field of rights and freedoms, we hope that the human rights situation will be completely different from what it was before the launch of that strategy, because the lesson is not in written theoretical matters, but in practice on the ground, which we will follow up practically during the coming period, and if the good provisions included in the strategy are implemented. We will welcome it very much and encourage them to do so.
I would also like to add in this context, away from the national strategy - despite its great importance - that we are working on matters related to reviewing the legislation related to the penalty of pretrial detention, whether in terms of periods of detention or precautionary measures in the event of the release of prisoners or the process of rotation in new cases, in addition to that we are working to reconsider all decisions related to the travel ban or anticipation of arrival for those abroad;
As we are trying to find a way to notify the concerned person before traveling or returning, in order to avoid any material or psychological losses.
We are now agreeing on these legislative amendments, which we will soon submit to Parliament, after finalizing their final formulation.
There are those who believe that this strategy aims mainly to please America and the international community.. What is your comment?
It seems that some are willing to attribute everything reformist to what they describe as external pressures, but in fact we do this out of pure national will, whether from the Egyptian government and concerned parties or from Egyptian civil society and politicians, and we do not aim to please the East or the West.
Our efforts, we Egyptians, should not be underestimated, and therefore there must be some kind of fairness to be honest with ourselves, and when there is respect for human rights, the West will welcome it by subordination, and we do what our conscience dictates regardless of the Western position.
Do you expect to carry out the recent death sentences in the case known in the media as the "Rabaa sit-in"?
It is difficult to predict this, but on a personal level I hope that these sentences will not be implemented, and that the sentence will be reduced, but this is a matter subject to the discretion of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Have you tried to raise the issue of executions with the concerned authorities?
We did not really interfere in this case because it is related to final and final rulings, and therefore it has become outside our powers. However, I saw many calls from parties abroad who spoke about this matter, and I am sure that all of this is taken into account by President Sisi before ratifying these provisions, which we hope to mitigate.
Have you tried to communicate with President Sisi about the political and human rights situation?
There was no direct communication with the president, but there is indirect communication through the president's aides and those in charge of such files, and we are in contact with those who, in turn, convey our vision to the president personally.
Are you heading now to focus on human rights work and leave political work?
At the beginning and end, I am a politician and a parliamentarian, but I am very interested in the issue of rights and freedoms since I chaired the Human Rights Committee in the 2012 Parliament and the 2016 Parliament, and therefore there is a spiritual connection between me and everything related to rights and freedoms, but my political role remains as it is in my capacity as head of the “Reform Party” and development”, and I practice it through many activities at home and abroad, and in parallel I practice my human rights role in order to contribute to improving people’s conditions and living.
Are there other parties seeking the release of prisoners of conscience other than the "International Dialogue Group"?
Certainly there are other jurisprudence by the Human Rights Committee in Parliament and the National Council for Human Rights.
We have many institutions and parties that are striving in this regard, and everyone strives in the light of his competencies and powers, and perhaps there are others who are independent trying to do something, and we extend our hands to all of these bodies in order to cooperate together to change the situation for the better, and we do not have any problem in cooperating with anyone or side within this framework.
Will the releases that take place extend to some political figures, such as Chancellor Hisham Geneina, Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, or others?
Yes, our efforts may be crowned with releasing them and others, because they are all Egyptians and certainly have rights, and their issue is of course on the table. However, our actions begin with the simple things that are available now, but they will inevitably include everyone during the coming period, and it may take some time.
But what about the state of political impasse?
Our moves are not only focused on the human rights aspect, but we also seek to dismantle the political crisis, and this is what we are working on with the Senate. There will be hearings to discuss the role of political parties and how to strengthen them during the next session next October.
Where is the civil democratic movement?
What is your position now?
The civil movement is still in existence until now, despite my continuing suspension of my membership in it with the “Justice” and “Egyptian Democratic” parties, and they are all dear friends, and we always meet and consult on different matters, but not necessarily under the umbrella of the civil movement, and sometimes we coordinate with each other To hold some events and activities, as we did during the conference in support of Palestine that we organized recently, and the Popular Front for the Conservation of the Nile Water, and therefore there is no estrangement between us.