International community slams Egypt mass death sentence

by Tutku Senen

ANKARA

International criticism of an Egyptian court's decision to sentence more than 650 Muslim Brotherhood supporters to death grew louder Tuesday, spanning many corners of the globe.

The United Nations, the European Union and its member states, as well as non-governmental organizations made clear their concerns about the decision of an Egyptian court in Minya to sentence to hand down the ultimate penalty to so many people in so little time. 

An Egypt court handed down death sentences for 683 people Monday, following a previous ruling by the same court for in March sentencing 528 people to death. The court on Monday also upheld the first sentence for 37 people and changed penalty to life in prison for 491.

The European Parliament and EU member states denounced the sentences, criticizing lack of fair trial and calling for a review. European Parliament President Martin Schulz said Monday capital punishment was "never acceptable" to Europeans.

"I think that this is not a constructive contribution to bring peace to the country,” he said. “There should be a fair trial for the accused.”

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a written statement Monday that the death sentences were a "mockery against the rule of law," calling for the ruling to be overturned.

The French Foreign Ministry joined in the clamor, issuing a statement saying it was extremely concerned by the ruling. And the British Foreign Office quoted Foreign Secretary William Hague as saying the verdicts "damage the reputation of Egypt’s judicial system, and are likely to undermine international confidence about progress towards reform and democratization in Egypt."

"The United Kingdom government urges the Egyptian authorities to review these sentences and to ensure that human and legal rights are fully upheld in this case, and in the country as a whole," Hague said.

The condemnation was echoed by other international organizations, as well. 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay strongly condemned Tuesday the imposition of the death penalty after mass trials that she said clearly breached international human rights law.

"It is outrageous that for the second time in two months, the Sixth Chamber of the Criminal Court in Al-Minya has imposed the death sentence on huge groups of defendants after perfunctory trials," Pillay said in a statement.

Pillay added "In defiance of worldwide pleas for Egypt to respect its human rights obligations after 529 people were sentenced to death in March by the same court, hundreds now face a similar fate at the hands of a judicial system where international fair trial guarantees appear to be increasingly trampled upon."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday the verdict would impact stability in Egypt.

"Verdicts that clearly appear not to meet basic fair trial standards, particularly those which impose the death penalty, are likely to undermine prospects for long-term stability," Ban said.

Non-governmental organizations were equally scathing.

The chief of England branch of the Union of European Turkish Democrats, Muttalip Unluer told The Anadolu Agency the decision was a 'shame of humanity'. 

"The courts in Egypt act by order of the junta," Unluer said. "Thus, people's democracy struggle and loss of human life are not important for them."

Alaa Mohamed, a spokesperson for British Egyptians 4 Democracy, which works to return democracy to Egypt, said, "It's shameful to see that the corrupt judiciary is breaking its own record of the largest mass death sentencing."

Mohamed emphasized that this is no longer about only the Muslim Brotherhood, and said the military junta is determined to silence every voice of dissent.

"Everyone in Egypt-Islamist, secular, liberal... etc., who calls for democracy is either killed or illegally detained." he said. 

"I also condemn the western stance on the coup in Egypt, continuing as usual, cheering on coup authorities despite daily systematic violations," he said. "After the worst mass murder in Egypt history, we didn't see any bans, assets frozen or any action taken against coup generals; hence this impunity and shameful silence of world leaders have paved the way for more scandals like today's verdict." 

The president of the Muslim Association of Britain, Omer El-Hamdoon, condemned the court's decision, describing the concept of mass sentencing as a 'farce'.

"The basis of the sentencing is flawed; and therefore the initial sentence is a mockery," El-Hamdoon said. "Reversing it to life in prison is a continuation of the absurdity of the court rulings." 

El-Hamdoon also critized the international community and western governments.

"The international community has shown its true colors. Egypt was on a path to democracy," he said. "This was derailed by a military coup. The international community failed to stand up for democracy and human rights. The current court sentencing is part of the ongoing hypocrisy of the Western governments who claim to support democracy." 

He called on the international community to stand up for fairness and justice.  

He said the defendants and their lawyers have not been given due process to defend themselves, El-Hamdoon added that the Muslim Brotherhood has held to its commitment to peaceful objection and demonstration. 

"The country will never be stable if it continues to target its citizens and those who call for change and democracy," El-Hamdoon said.

Egypt's army-backed authorities have launched a massive crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood since Morsi's ouster by the army last July. In the nine months since, thousands of the groups' members and sympathizers have been arrested and convicted of multiple charges.

englishnews@aa.com.tr