By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – Thousands of pro-Morsi supporters are defying warnings by the military-backed cabinet to cease protests across Cairo.  The government has authorized police to take “gradual steps” to remove the protesters but thus far no removal has occurred and does not appear imminent.

“The continuation of the dangerous situation in Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda squares, and consequent terrorism and road blockages are no longer acceptable given the threat to national security,” a statement from the interim government said on Wednesday, adding that it has told police to take “all necessary measures” to disperse crowds.

The protesters have employed barricades and sand bags to fortify significant sit-in locations in Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda squares in Cairo.  Additionally, thirty-three marches were planned around the city in support of ousted president Morsi.

On Friday, state television said that protesters would be allowed to leave safely, but that within forty-eight hours security forces would begin a “siege” at the camps in Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda squares.  Essentially, authorities will begin preventing people from entering the squares, which is one step from beginning removal of the protesters.  Given the security forces history of excessive force, human rights groups are concerned that the situation could result in further violence.

International human rights groups, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called on the Egyptian government to refrain from using force against the protesters and allow for the peaceful demonstrations to continue.

“Given the Egyptian security forces’ record of policing demonstrations with the routine use of excessive and unwarranted lethal force, this latest announcement gives a seal of approval to further abuse,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty.

“The authorities as well as the security forces should start with an approach that avoids the use of force and is based on ‘methods of persuasion, negotiation and mediation’, as recommended by international standards,” she added.

“To avoid another bloodbath, Egypt’s civilian rulers need to ensure the ongoing right of protesters to assemble peacefully, and seek alternatives to a forcible dispersal of the crowds,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “The police’s persistent record of excessive use of force, leading to dozens of deaths this month, and the density of the sit-ins mean that hundreds of lives could be lost if the sit-in is forcibly dispersed.”

According to Human Rights Watch at least 137 people have been killed by Egyptian security forces in the last month alone.  Other reports claim that at least 250 people have killed since Morsi was removed from power on July 3.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Morsi backers stage defiant rallies in Egypt – 2 August 2013

Human Rights Watch – Egypt: Do Not Forcibly Disperse Sit-Ins – 2 August 2013

Al Jazeera – Egypt police told to break up rallies – 1 August 2013

BBC – Egypt protesters defy cabinet threat to end sit-ins – 1 August 2013

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – In March, Marte Deborah Dalelv, a 24-year-old Norwegian woman, was on a business trip when she reported to Dubai police that she was raped by a colleague.  This week, she was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment after a United Arab Emirates court convicted her of extra marital sex, drinking alcohol, and perjury.  The ruling was immediately appealed, which means the sentence is delayed until after her appeal is heard on September 5th.

When she reported the rape, police did not believe her and instead threw her in jail and confiscated her passport.  It wasn’t until four days later that she was allowed to call home and alert her parents to the situation.

“She called after four days in jail and told me that she had been raped and was in jail. I was totally shocked,”  said Stefar Toregier Furesund, the woman’s father, who has visited his daughter several times since the arrest.

Dalelv’s employer, The ONE Total Home Experience, was aware that she was imprisoned in Dubai, but neglected to inform the her parents.  Then, the company terminated her employment because of what it deemed “unacceptable behavior”.  The ONE has refused to comment on the matter despite harsh criticism.

The victim’s parents notified Norwegian authorities of their daughter’s arrest and their foreign consulate was able to secure her release to the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Dubai.  Dalelv has lived with the Church for the past six months while she awaited trial.

“This verdict flies in the face of our notion of justice,” said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. “It appears very odd that a person who reports rape is convicted for crimes that in our part of the world are not considered crimes.”

Under UAE law, a rape conviction requires either a confession or four adult, male witnesses to the attack.  The alleged rapist has been sentenced to only thirteen months in prison for having sex outside of wedlock.

The UAE has seen similar cases arise over the past few years.

In December, a 28-year-old British woman who was reportedly kidnapped and raped by three men was found guilty of drinking alcohol without a license.

In 2010, an 18-year-old Emirati woman reported that she was gang-raped by six men, but she was sentenced to one year in prison for having sex outside of marriage.

In 2008, an Australian woman reported that she was drugged and gang-raped, but was sentenced to a year in prison for having sex outside of marriage and drinking alcohol.  Her sentence was pardoned after eight months, but so were the men that raped her.

Human Rights Watch has called for the UAE to reform its rape laws and has accused the country of condoning sexual violence.

For further information, please see:

Local – Norway slams Dubai jailing of rape victim – 18 July 2013

NRK –There is no forgiveness for such behavior  – 18 July 2013

USA Today –Dubai imprisons Norwegian woman who reported rape – 18 July 2013

Daily Mail – Norwegian woman who reported being raped in Dubai is jailed for 16 months – 17 July 2013

NRK – Reported rape – was sentenced to prison in Dubai – 17 July 2013

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – Egypt’s military has seized control of the country and forced President Morsi out of office.  Adly Mansour, the Chief Justice of the country’s top court, has been sworn in as the interim president.

The events of the last four days unfolded rather quickly.  Initially, protesters began gathering in Tahrir Square on the night of Thursday, the 28th, for planned weekend protests in opposition of President Morsi.  By Sunday, protesters across Cairo and the entire country reportedly numbered in the millions.

On Monday, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the highest ranking Egyptian military officer, gave President Morsi a 48-hour ultimatum to come to an agreement with the protesters and opposition parties or face military intervention. Morsi balked at the ultimatum and refused offers from the opposition to negotiate until offering a last second plan for a coalition government that the military and opposition leaders saw as too little, too late.

The military’s ultimatum carried with it a 5:00 P.M. Wednesday deadline.  When the deadline passed, the military began deploying armed forces around Cairo and detaining key Muslim Brotherhood political officials including President Morsi.

In a statement posted on the Egyptian Presidency Facebook page, Essam El-Haddad, Egypt’s national security adviser called the on-going situation “a full military coup.”

Late Wednesday, opposition leader Mohammed ElBaradei and religious leaders made a televised a statement regarding the military’s future plans for the government according to the state news agency.  The military’s road map provides for a brief period of rule under a civilian leadership council followed by new presidential and parliamentary elections.  However, it has not been made clear exactly when elections will take place.

Cheif Justice Mansour was sworn in before the Constitutional Court on Thursday and addressed the public.  He emphasized that the Muslim Brotherhood were still a part of the people and would not be excluded.

“I swear by God to uphold the Republican system and respect the constitution and law… and safeguard the people and protect the nation,” he said.  “[…] Nobody will be excluded, and if they responded to the invitation, they will be welcomed.”

To the contrary, Egyptian authorities have ordered the arrests of Muslim Brotherhood leaders and officials.  At least a dozen have already been taken into custody including Saad El Katatni, leader of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, and President Morsi, who is under house arrest.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Top judge sworn in as Egypt interim president – 4 July 2013

Al Jazeera – Profile: Egypt’s interim leader Adly Mansour – 4 July 2013

Washington Post – Top Muslim Brotherhood officials ordered arrested as Egypt appoints interim president – 4 July 2013

BBC – Egypt army deployed amid Cairo tension– 3 July 2013

New York Times – Before Protests, Morsi Takes Critics Head On – 27 June 2013