NGO Support

OMCT: Follow up letter concerning Dr. Nawal el-Saadawi

The Hon. Mr. Mohammad Hosni Mubarak
President,
Abedine Palace,
Cairo Arab Republic of Egypt

Geneva, 14 June 2001

Your Excellency,

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the world’s largest coalition of non- governmental human rights organisations, would like to reiterate its concern over the hisba proceedings that are due to be heard against Dr. Nawal el-Saadawi in Cairo on 18 June 2001.

According to information received by OMCT, the divorce case against Dr. el-Saadawi was examined and dismissed by the General Prosecutor on 25 May 2001. Given that the case has already been closed by the General Prosecutor, the Court no longer has the standing to hear the charges and it should dismiss the case at the hearing on 18 June.

The International Secretariat of OMCT recalls that Article 23 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which was ratified by Egypt in 1982, states that the rights of men and women of marriageable age to marry shall be recognized. The right to freedom of expression is recognized under article 19 of the ICCPR. A failure by the Egyptian government to intervene in order to definitively close the divorce proceedings currently underway against Dr. el-Saadawi would clearly be a violation of the State's duty to protect her right to freedom of expression and her right to marry and to remain married.

OMCT would again like to stress that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which has been ratified by Egypt, calls upon States Parties to "condemn discrimination against women in all its forms" and to actively pursue policies of eliminating discrimination against women. Article 7 of CEDAW provides that States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in public life.

The International Secretariat of OMCT urges you to take action to ensure that the divorce proceedings against Dr. el-Saadawi are discontinued and to protect her right to freedom of expression, guarantees to which she is entitled under the ICCPR and CEDAW. The International Secretariat insists upon the necessity to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in all circumstances in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Thank you for your kind consideration on this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Anne-LaurenceLacroix
DeputyDirector