Blogger In Egypt Faces 10 Years In Prison

A blogger in Egypt is jailed and faces up to 10 years in prison for his writings.

Karim Amer is the first Egyptian blogger to be tried for writing blogs criticizing Egypt's al-Azhar religious authorities, President Husni Mubarak and Islam.

Charges against him include "spreading information disruptive of public order and damaging to the country's reputation," "incitement to hate Islam"and "defaming the President of the Republic," according to human rights group Amnesty International, which is calling for Karim Amer's release.

"Karim Amer's trial appears intended as a warning by the authorities toother bloggers who dare criticize the government or use their blogs to spread information considered harmful to Egypt's reputation," says Malcolm Smart, director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Program. "This is particularly worrying as bloggers have increasingly been posting information about human rights abuses in Egypt, including torture and police violence against peaceful protesters."

Eqypt is a top recipient of U.S. aid.

Karim Amer was first detained by the Egyptian authorities for 12 days in October 2005 because of his writings on his blog about Islam and the sectarian riots which took place in the same month in Alexandria's Maharram Bek district. These riots followed reports that the video of a play believed to be anti-Islam was being screened in a Coptic church in the district, Amnesty International says.

After he was charged and released, disciplinary measures were taken against him and he was dismissed from al-Azhar University in March 2006. The university's disciplinary board found him guilty of blaspheming Islam, Amnesty International says.


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Amnesty International Criticizes Saddam's Executions

Human rights group Amnesty International is criticizing the recent execution of former Iraq leader Saddam Hussein.

"Amnesty International has long documented the massive human rights abuses carried out under Saddam Hussein's rule. The organization hasconsistently called for Hussein to be held accountable through fair trial proceedings, and strongly contests that his execution symbolizes justice served," says Larry Cox, executive director, Amnesty International USA.

"The rushed execution of Saddam Hussein is simply wrong," Cox continues. "It signifies justice denied for countless victims who endured unspeakable suffering during his regime, and now have been denied their right to see justice served. It is a failed opportunity to establish the rule of law in Iraq,and raises concerns that egregious flaws during Hussein's trial proceedings will now set a strong precedent against a fair and independent judiciary. It will doubtless have a devastating impact on other related trials, as the key witness who could most compellingly shed light on the chain of command will have been silenced. Finally, Amnesty International opposes the death penalty, regardless of method, in all cases, and regards it as the ultimate, irreversible human rights abuse."

Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death in Iraq following a lengthy trial. The former strongman was ousted during the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and was captured the following year.

Amnesty International also cites concern that Saddam Hussein's death could inflame the ongoing sectarian violence in Iraq.

"Amnesty International is concerned that Hussein's execution may inflame already volatile sectarian divisions, and urges all parties to protect the human rights of civilians in Iraq," Cox says.


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