INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE IN EGYPT

UNCLAS CAIRO 001514

SIPDIS

DRL/MLGA FOR KRISTEN MCGEENY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM UN EG
SUBJECT: INITIATIVES TO COUNTER TORTURE IN EGYPT

REF: STATE 70129


1. Torture is a serious problem in Egypt, and there are
ongoing efforts in the country to prevent its practice and
protect victims. Several Egyptian NGOs have ongoing programs
to provide legal assistance, and psychological and physical
rehabilitation for torture victims. Human rights attorneys
routinely file suits against the government on behalf of
torture victims. NGOs also work to publicize torture cases
involving police officers by engaging with the media and
publishing lists of accused and convicted officers.
Independent human rights groups consistently address torture
in their annual reports.


2. Bloggers have played a significant role in documenting and
publicizing torture by police. A blogger's post of a video
recording of policemen torturing a bus driver caused domestic
and international outrage, and in November 2007 a court
sentenced the two officers to three years in prison. A
blogger posted a recording of a similar incident in February

2009.


3. The quasi-governmental National Council for Human Rights'
annual report released in May calls on the GOE to pass
legislation to broaden the definition of torture and increase
the relevant penalties. Currently, the law defines torture
only in the context of extracting confessions. In close
cooperation with the GOE, the United Nations Development
Program Human Rights Capacity Building Project, coordinated
by a senior MFA official, trains officials from the Justice
Ministry, Interior Ministry and Public Prosecutor's office.
The UNDP project organizes lectures for GOE officials on
combating torture and promoting human rights, focusing on UN
human rights conventions and non-violent investigative
techniques.


4. We are working to resume a USG-funded community policing
training program that addresses human rights. USAID is
funding a coalition of Egyptian NGOs to combat torture in
police stations. The NGOs will conduct a study in three
governorates on incidents of torture and release a report in
October. USAID is also funding an Egyptian NGO to provide
training for lawyers to recognize the signs of different
types of torture, and to document torture cases. USAID is
working with another Egyptian NGO which has already trained
30 lawyers to gather information on torture cases, and will
develop a database of documented cases designed to assist
lawyers, researchers and civil society.


5. We will continue to look for additional opportunities to
fund projects to combat torture and raise awareness of the
problem.
SCOBEY