Rights group condemns 'outrageous death sentences' in Egypt

The International Coalition for Freedoms and Rights condemned what it called “the outrageous death sentences” passed against 683 pro-democracy defendants in Egypt yesterday, a statement published by the organisation said.

The ICFR, whose delegation of international legal and human rights experts is currently in Egypt on a fact-finding mission, expressed “dismay regarding the arbitrary nature of the trial proceedings”. It said the death sentences were passed on defendants “who were not given the right to defence or legal representation and others who never even saw the courtroom”.

Dr Anas Altikriti, the general secretary of the ICFR said these sentences “might not have come as a shock to those closely monitoring the gradual and clear descent of the Egyptian judiciary into the grips of the military authorities since the coup in July last year”.

He added that ICFR “will be demanding that international institutions such as the UN, and countries including the US and UK live up to their individual and collective responsibilities in upholding the rule of law and justice.”