UK Law Society Slams Egypt Over Lawyer Crackdown
The Law Society of England and Wales has slammed Egypt for the brutal treatment of lawyers, raising urgent concerns at the United Nations. They’ve demanded Cairo stop the persecution and respect judicial independence.
Lawyers Under Fire in Egypt
During the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which assesses countries’ human rights every few years, Law Society Vice President Richard Atkinson blasted Egypt’s “pattern of contempt” towards lawyers, especially those handling criminal and human rights cases.
The report exposes a brutal crackdown: harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances. Targets are mainly lawyers defending political prisoners or handling sensitive cases. Atkinson condemned Egypt’s misuse of sweeping anti-terror laws to silence legal defenders and the disturbing trend of trying civilians in military courts.
International Pressure Mounts Ahead of 2025 Review
With Egypt’s next UPR review set for 2025, calls for reform are intensifying. Over 100 NGOs and lawyers’ groups have already flagged the crackdown to the UN Human Rights Council, branding it a blatant assault on human rights defenders.
Back in 2019, former UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet acknowledged Egypt’s small steps, like setting up a National Council for Human Rights and regulating police conduct. But she urged a national human rights action plan and stronger judicial independence to protect lawyers.
Global Spotlight on Egypt’s Human Rights Crisis
The Law Society’s stark warning throws a spotlight on Egypt’s wider human rights failings. It sends a clear message: the international community must step up the pressure to defend legal professionals and uphold justice under global human rights standards.
