Lawyers for Lawyers is deeply concerned about the arrest of Egyptian lawyer and human rights defender Mahienour El-Massry in Cairo. We expressed these concerns in a letter to the Egyptian authorities.
On 22 September 2019, Mahienour El-Massry was arrested by security forces in Cairo. Her arrest seems to be conxnected to her legitimate activities as a lawyer and the representation of detainees that were arrested during demonstrations demanding the resignation of the Egyptian president Abdelfattah Al-Sisi. On 23 September 2019, the Supreme State Security Prosecution ordered 15 days of preventive detention for Mahienour El-Massry. She is facing charges of “joining an illegal group”, “publishing false news”, and “misuse of social media”.
Mahienour El-Massry is a prominent human rights lawyer known for her work to promote judicial independence and prisoners’ rights. In 2014, she was awarded with the renowned Ludovic Trarieux Prize for her outstanding efforts to advance human rights. This is not the first time Mahiebour el-Massry was arrested as a result of adequately discharging her function as a lawyer. Since 2014, she has spent lengthy periods in Egyptian prison under difficult circumstances.
Lawyers for Lawyers is deeply concerned about Mahienour El-Massry’s arrest and believes that these actions are part of a wider crackdown against human rights defenders and civil society organized by the Egyptian government. We urge the Egyptian government to immediately and unconditionally release Mahienour El-Massry, to protect her integrity and safety, and to enable all human rights defenders in Egypt to effectively carry out their work.
Read the full letter here.
