End unfair trials in Egypt from AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 20JAN12

DEMOCRACY is still a work in progress in Egypt following last years revolution. It does take time to establish a free and democratic government and the associated institutions and establish open, transparent and democratic policy and behavior. That doesn't mean abuses and violations of human rights by the transitional governing authority should be tolerated and ignored. The governing military council in Egypt must end their practice of unfair trials before military tribunals, drop politically motivated charges against citizens and release all political prisoners. Please consider participating in this action by Amnesty International, click the link.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/node/29251 

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Like thousands of Egyptians, Amr Abdallah Al-Beheiry is waiting for justice.
One year after the “25 January Revolution”, it seems further away than ever.
Last February, military police and soldiers beat Amr Abdallah Al-Beheiry up and arrested him at a protest in Cairo. Days later, a military court sentenced him to five years in prison for assaulting a public officer and breaking the curfew. Amr Abdallah Al-Beheiry had no chance of a fair trial. His hearing lasted just minutes. The court didn’t allow his family or lawyer into the room. Instead, it chose its own lawyer to defend him. Now, a military appeals court has said Amr Abdallah Al-Beheiry will be retried – by another military court.
As for Maikel Nabil Sanad, he is in jail for criticizing the army. The blogger, who is considered by Amnesty International to be a prisoner of conscience, had his three-year sentence reduced to two years after a retrial before a military court. He was imprisoned in April for criticising the post-Mubarak military authorities on his Facebook page and for supposedly “spreading lies and rumours about the armed forces” on his blog.
Military courts can’t deliver justice.
Egypt’s military courts violate basic human rights, like the right to a fair trial and the right to appeal to a higher tribunal. Since the uprising, they have tried 12,000 and convicted an estimated 8,000 ordinary Egyptians for crimes like “thuggery” or “breaking curfew”. Sentences range from a few months to years in prison. They have even sentenced people to death.
Enough with the hollow promises of Egypt’s military rulers to stop such trials. It’s time to call on them to put a stop to unfair trials once and for all

TAKE ACTION
Call on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to end military trials of civilians.

Dear Field Marshal Muhammad Tantawi,
I call on the SCAF to end military trials of civilians:

• Stop trying civilians before military courts;
• Immediately and unconditionally release any one detained solely for criticising the army and for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly;
• Release those facing trial before military courts or transfer ongoing cases to civilian courts for a new trial, in proceedings that meet international standards for fair trial and without recourse to the death penalty; 
• Order fair re-trials for others already convicted by military courts or release them.

• Take Action

Egyptian Military Sentences Blogger to Three Years in Prison: Take Action! from HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST 20APR11

THIS is not what hundreds, if not thousands, of Egyptians died for in their revolution. This is not what hundreds of thousands, if not millions, protested for in their revolution. Please click the link and sign the petition to the Egyptian ambassador in D.C. asking him to have Maikel Nabil Sanad released and for the Egyptian government to honor and protect human rights.

Egyptian Military Sentences Blogger to Three Years in Prison: Take Action!

Help Egyptian activists at risk

Egyptian activist Maikel Nabil Sanad, a critic of the military in Egypt, was just sentenced by a military commission to three years in prison.
Sanad was charged with "insulting the military institution and publishing false news about it" and "disturbing the public security."
Since the revolution, there have been serious concerns about the way the military has dealt with dissent. We've seen reports of arbitrary detention, sexual assault and torture.
Sanad had openly criticized the role of the military both before and during the revolution, outlining cases of torture and other abuses. Now he's in military prison.
Add your name to the petition below. Human Rights First will deliver this petition to the Egyptian Ambassador to the United States, Sameh Shoukry, urging support for Sanad and other Egyptian activists fighting for freedom.
http://actions.humanrightsfirst.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=3773 

Urgent! Egyptian activist arrested from HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST 30MAR11

PLEASE sign the petition from Human Rights First in support of and calling for the release of Maikel Nabil Sanad in Egypt. His arrest and trial on 31 MAR 11 for insulting the military in Egypt is a violation of his human rights and a threat to the progress Egypt has made since the overthrow of mubarak. The international community can not tolerate a return to the repressive tactics of the former mubarak government. Click the link to participate....

A critic of the military has been detained by the military. Repression may not be over in Egypt. Stand up for Egyptian activists at risk! We have just heard that an Egyptian activist is to stand trial in a military court TOMORROW—for "insulting the military institution" and other charges. Maikel Nabil Sanad called out abuses by the military—and is now facing up to three years in prison for it. Sign our petition to support Maikel and other Egyptian activists at risk. There are reports the military is carrying out arbitrary arrests and torture, and subjecting women to 'virginity tests.' Maikel was calling attention to the military's abuse of power, and now he's been arrested by the military police. Surprise surprise. We could have hoped with the revolution, repression came to an end in Egypt. But since the military has taken over power in Egypt, there are continuing and serious concerns about how they are dealing with dissent. That's why Human Rights First is bringing prominent Egyptian activist Esraa Abdel Fattah to meet with U.S. officials next week—so she can tell them how to make sure real change comes to Egypt. We need to ensure that the U.S. supports the people, not the autocrats, in Egypt and the broader region. Next week, Esraa will meet with dozens of policy and opinion makers—and you can join her by adding your signature to our petition. We'll hand deliver it to the officials we meet and get it in the hands of the authorities in Cairo themselves. We cannot stand aside while activists continue to be detained merely for voicing dissent. Stand up with Egyptian activists—sign our petition. Thank you for supporting Maikel, Esraa, and the countless other activists who have been calling for freedom in Egypt for years and continue to do so today. Sincerely, Brian Dooley Director, Human Rights Defenders Program

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