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Alert

Human rights activist summoned over comments regarding eligibility of female judges

(ANHRI/IFEX) - Cairo, May 17th, 2010 - Egyptian human rights institutes expressed extreme dismay regarding the communiqué filed by the chairman of the State Council judges club against human rights activist Nasser Amin, chairman of the Arab Center for Independence of the Judiciary (ACIJLP) in connection with the ACIJLP's position in support of women's right to assume judicial posts at the State Council. This right is being denied by some judges of the State Council.

The defense team, consisting of human rights organizations who are signatories to this statement, will be present today by Amin's side at the Prosecutor General's Office. Amin will give statements regarding the communiqué filed against him because of declarations he made to the press in the debate over the eligibility of women to assume judicial posts.

The undersigned human rights organizations stated, "This communiqué caused surprise and dismay, especially that it has been filed against the prime human rights organization that has worked for 14 years to support judges and their independence . . . we do hope that a difference in opinion with some judges would not reach the court halls through extracting declarations in press releases out of context and considering them away from the core issue which is the constitutional right of women to judicial posts".

Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence
Egyptian Organization for Human Rights
Freedom Committee of the lawyers syndicate
Hisham Mubarak Law Center
New Woman Foundation
United Group
El Nadim centre for psychological rehabilitation of victims of violence and torture