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Paris July 14th, 2009
Dear doctors, Dear Colleagues,
The Egyptian Security Services arrested on Sunday morning
June 28th, 2009, Dr. Abdul Moneim Abul Fotouh, a member of
the Muslim Brotherhood's Executive Office, Secretary-General of the
Medical Arab Union and a renown unionist, human rights defenders and
public figure in Egypt and the Arab world. According to Egyptian
authorities he was arrested under pretenses of the pending case of the
“International Organization” (case 404 of the year 2009 higher state
security).
An intense follow up of the medical files of victims of
the Israeli aggression on Gaza are an identification of the aid given by
Dr. Abdul Moneim Abul Fotouh to all doctors traveling to the Gaza
Strip. His distinguished role in promoting holding Israeli war
criminals accountable is evident in the thorough documenting of medical
verification efforts.
The important and noble role carried out by this modest
and peaceful advocator in consolidating the trade-union rights of Arab
doctors and strengthening the role of the Arab physicians in
humanitarian issues in conflict zones like Darfur, Iraq, Palestine and
Somalia is widely-known.
Egyptian doctors across the political spectrum including
those from the NDP ruling party voted for Dr. Abul-Fotouh in the union's
elections. The detentions also included Dr. Jamal Abdul Salam, the
manager of the aid and relief committee in the Arab Medical Union is
also known by humanitarian agencies for his work against the blockade
and relief aid for victims. He is recognized more by his work in the aid
and humanitarian circles more than as a political activist because he
spends most of his time in this field. He was released from a 50-day
detention last February, 5th, on his efforts to back the
Palestinian people in Gaza.
Several international medical syndicates along with
major movements and human rights defenders have denounced these
detentions. The Arab Commission for Human Rights viewed the systematic
administrative detentions in Egypt as a means to destroy people's civil,
political and professional efforts and a form of arbitrary detention. We
have heard words of appreciation and respect about Dr Abul Fotouh from
many Egyptian officials whom we contacted. He is considered a source of
pride for Egypt and the Muslim and Arab world with his moral conduct and
dedication to defending causes adopted by Arab Lawyers Union whether
they are private, public, local or international.
We were saddened when we heard that the detention of Dr.
Abul-Fotouh was prolonged, especially because of his deteriorating
health condition, as Egyptian authorities have responded to his request
and sent him on Monday to Al-Qasr Al-Aini hospital in Cairo after his
health condition worsened. He uses a mechanical ventilator during sleep
because of his sleeping apnea. However, the real demand is to end this
detention which is seen by renowned Egyptian figures as damaging Egypt
's Arab and international image.
I urge you to write to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
to ask him to intervene and order the immediate release of Dr. Abdul
Moneim Abul Fotouh, especially that the claimed charges have no judicial
foundation. As for helping the Palestinian people under siege, this is
not a charge but a source of pride for him and for Dr. Jamal Abdul Salam
and for all involved in helping people who are suffering under the
occupation and aggression.
I hope that you move quickly because the health of Dr.
Abdul Moneim Abul Fotouh is not well, in the name of unionist work and
as a message of gratitude to those who served the causes of Arab doctors
in improving the image of Arab physicians in all societies.
Thanking you in advance for your movements and concern,
Dr. Haytham Manna,
President of the International Bureau of Humanitarian
NGOs (IBH), spokesperson of the Arab Commission for Human Rights
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