By Ann Flower Seyse
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
DAMANHUR, Egypt – On May 18th an Egyptian court in Damanhur sentenced twenty-four people to death. All twenty-four cases have been sent to the mufti to sign execution orders, in accordance with sharia law. Nine of those sentenced were not present for their trials and conviction, as they remain on the run.
Each of twenty-four was sentenced on murder charges for their participation in a violent land dispute in March of 2008 in the northern province of Beheira. Two rival associations both claimed title to a 500 acre agricultural plot in the Nile delta. Both parties had hired security guards to protect their land, and the dispute arose when one group of guards tried to claim the plot by force from the other group of guards. Authorities believe that this was purely a financial conflict and had no sectarian aspects.
Eleven people were killed, and as many as twenty-seven were injured in the conflict. Land suitable for farming is scarce in the Nile delta and this shortage often leads to disputes. While land disputes are not uncommon in Egypt, the number of casualties in this instance is unusual. Many landlords in Egypt hire private armed security guards to protect their land interests, but the guards typically only keep out squatters, and do not incur casualties.
Both the Daily News Egypt and E- Taiwan News article attributed to the Associated Press allege that the “gun battle” was over 1,500 acres, not 500 acres. Both sources also maintain that no dates for execution have been set, and all of the sentences have been appealed.
The nine people convicted in absentia remain on the run. The due process rights of these individuals under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights may come into question if they are found. This covenant, signed by the United Nations, supports the right for all people to be present at their own trial and conviction.
For more information, please see:
APA – Egyptian Court Sentences 24 to Death – 19 May 2009
Daily News Egypt – 24 Sentenced to Death Over Deadly Land Dispute – 19 May 2009
E-Taiwan News – Egypt: 24 Get Death Sentence on Murder Charges – 19 May 2009
News 24 – 24 Sentenced to Death in Egypt – 18 May 2009
New York Times – Egypt: Death Sentences Over a Gunfight – 18 May 2009
Reuters – Egypt Court Sentences 24 to Die Over Land Clash – 18 May 2009
