Amnesty International har published an urgent appeal on the behalf of detained blogger Diaa el-Din Gad, saying that “Dia’ el Din Gad’s mother described to Amnesty International how he frequently suffers panic attacks which make it difficult for him to breathe. He also has difficulty walking or bending one of his legs, due to injuries suffered in childhood. He takes painkillers and other medication, which he did not have with him when he was arrested.”
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Arabic or your own language:
– urging the Egyptian authorities to disclose Dia’ el Din Gad’ whereabouts immediately, and give him access to lawyers of his choice, his family and any medical attention he may require.
– urging the authorities to ensure that he is not tortured or otherwise ill-treated;
– urging the authorities to release Dia’ el Din Gadimmediately and unconditionally, unless he is promptly charged with a recognizably criminal offence, as he appears to be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association.
APPEALS TO:
Minster of Interior
Minister Habib Ibrahim El Adly
Ministry of the Interior
25 Al-Sheikh Rihan Street, Bab al-Louk, Cairo, Egypt
Fax: +20 22 796 0682
Email: moi@idsc.gov.eg
Salutation: Dear Minister
Public Prosecutor
Counsellor Abdel Meguid Mahmoud
Dar al-Qadha al-‘Ali
Ramses Street, Cairo, EGYPT
Fax: +20 22 577 4716
Salutation: Dear Counsellor
COPIES TO:
Director of Human Rights and International Humanitarian and Social Affairs
Wael Abu al-Magd
Human Rights and International Humanitarian and Social Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Corniche al-Nil
Cairo
EGYPT
Fax: +20 22 574 9713
and to diplomatic representatives of Egypt accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 1 April 2009.
Free the Prisoners for Gaza 