Activists detained for solidarity with judges

A number of activists, demonstrating in support of judges currently under fire for demanding judicial reform, were arrested and beaten on Monday, according to local human rights groups. “This means the fight will intensify between judges and pro-democracy groups on one side, and the government and interior ministry on the other,” said Gamal Eid, director of the Cairo-based Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRInfo). According to Eid, several activists were arrested and beaten while holding what he called a “sit-in” in front of the Cairo offices of the Egyptian Judges Club. “The activists were showing their support for the Judges Club and the club’s draft judiciary law,” he said. “Fifteen were arrested, and most were beaten. We have requested that they be given access to doctors.” Eid added that, while three of the detainees had since been released, the remaining 12 must remain in police custody for a 15-day period pending investigation of the incident. The sit-in was also a show of solidarity with two judges, Hesham Bastawisi and Mahmoud Mekki, both recently summoned to appear before a disciplinary tribunal for speaking out against violations in last year’s parliamentary elections. Both are prominent members of the Judges’ Club, which has recently challenged the government by pushing for greater judicial independence and drawing up its own draft judiciary law. In mid-February, three judges who had played major roles in what has become known as the “judges’ rebellion” were stripped of their judicial immunity by a Higher Judiciary Council. Shortly afterwards, they were questioned by the state security prosecutor and charged with “insulting and defaming” the state. Responding to the judge’s rising visibility in the local and foreign media, the Court of Appeals issued a statement earlier this month defending its position. “They say they are seeking the independence of the judiciary, as though the judiciary wasn’t already independent,” the statement read. According to Eid, the contest can only be expected to escalate. While Bastawisi and Mekki are scheduled to face questioning by the state prosecutor tomorrow and on 27 April, he said, another seven judges are also expected be subpoenaed for alleged participation in the “rebellion”.