Syria: Five Men From the Same Village Disappeared Following Abduction by the Military Intelligence
On 11 July 2016, Alkarama and Human Rights Guardians wrote to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances (WGEID) regarding the cases of five Syrian citizens from the village of Kafr al-Tun who disappeared in the Governorate of Hama in western central Syria between 2012 and 2014. They were all arrested during raids and waves of arrest conducted by the Military Intelligence Directorate – or "Military Security" – or as they were passing checkpoints, after which they were brought to unknown places of detention. Their families did not take any action after their disappearance, fearing reprisals or to be arrested themselves.
Jordan: Professor Amjad Qourshah Arbitrarily Detained for Comments on Jordan's Participation to the International Coalition Against the IS
On 13 June 2016, Amjad Qourshah, 48-year old assistant professor in comparative religions at the University of Jordan and famous presenter in TV and radio shows, was arrested for "disturbing relations with a foreign country" for having posted a video online about two years ago criticising the participation of Jordan to the international coalition led by the USA against the Islamic State (IS). Concerned over the fact that Qourshah's detention is motivated solely by an act of free speech, on 15 July 2016, Alkarama sent his case to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (FREEDEX) demanding him to call upon the Jordanian authorities to immediately release him.
Iraq: Professor of Engineering Salih Al Dulaimi Sentenced to Death on the Basis of Confessions Under Torture
On 12 May 2016, Salih Al Dulaimi, professor at the Electrical Engineering Department of the College of Engineering, University of Anbar, was sentenced to death on the basis of Iraq Antiterrorism Law by the Iraqi Central Criminal Court, the judge relying on statements Al Dulaimi made under heavy torture and alleged information provided by the US intelligence. As Al Dulaimi is clearly a victim of arbitrary detention, Alkarama and Al Wissam Humanitarian Assembly sent his case to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), demanding the five UN experts to call upon the Iraqi authorities to immediately release him.
Kuwait: Alkarama Submits Shadow Report to the UN Committee Against Torture Ahead of the Country's Review
In view of Kuwait's third periodic review, on 4 July 2016, Alkarama submitted its shadow report to the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) analysing the legal framework for the prohibition of torture and its practice in Kuwait. During its 58thsession which will take place between 25 July and 12 August, the Committee's experts will assess* the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), ratified by Kuwait in 1996, on the basis of information provided by both NGOs, including Alkarama, as well as the State party in its national report.
Egypt: Student Tortured Facing Unfair Trial
On 15 July 2016, Alkarama referred to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) the case of Omar Mabrouk, a young student currently detained in Giza, Cairo, and facing an unfair trial. Held in incommunicado detention since his unlawful extradition from Kuwait to Egypt in October 2015 and until April 2016, he was severely tortured to confess crimes he never committed. He was then charged with "establishment of an unlawful group" for having criticized the Egyptian Government through social networks and put on trial while denied the possibility to prepare his defence.
Egypt: Man's Life at Risk Following Violent Arrest and Denial of Medical Care in Detention
On 8 July 2016, Alkarama referred to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health (SRH) the case of Mahmoud Hassan Sabry, who was arrested on 29 July 2015 in Cairo by Egyptian Homeland Security Forces and thrown from his apartment's balcony for allegedly having participated to "violent demonstrations", causing him severe body injuries and a partial paralysis. Detained ever since, he is denied access to adequate medical care and his life remains at risk, despite his family's appeals and attempts at soliciting the intervention of local authorities.