The Law Society of England and Wales has raised concerns about the failure to protect the free and fair practice of law in Egypt, as the Egyptian state machinery continues to target the legal profession.
The Law Society has submitted its concerns to the United Nations (UN) as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)*.
Law Society vice president Richard Atkinson said: “The Egyptian state machinery displays a pattern of contempt against lawyers working in criminal and human rights law.
“This mistreatment is particularly noticeable in cases that involve political opponents. For example, following anti-government protests in September 2019, Egyptian authorities targeted and arrested lawyers who were defending imprisoned protestors.
The Law Society has raised concerns in its Universal Periodic Review report about the failure to protect the free and fair practice of law in Egypt, as the Egyptian state machinery continues to target the legal profession:https://t.co/aFkduBNdp7
— Law Soc Human Rights (@LSHumanRights) July 19, 2024
“Lawyers involved in politically sensitive cases face harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances. The state uses broad anti-terrorism legislation against these lawyers to bar them from fulfilling their professional duties.
“The state machinery also maintains a strong grip over the judiciary with lawyers reporting that judges disregard due process, fair trials and safeguards for both defendants and lawyers.
“Judicial independence has been further hampered by the recourse to military courts for civilians, which is unlawful under international law. These military courts conduct mass trials, with defendants being denied adequate legal representation.
“This is a clear obstruction of justice and restricts the free and fair practice of law in Egypt.
[…]
Sources
UK: State machinery in Egypt restricts the free and fair practice of law
