The plight of Oqba Hashad, an Egyptian student held for nearly six years under arbitrary detention, calls for urgent attention. Amnesty International has strongly urged the immediate release of Hashad, who has suffered immense human rights violations, including torture and enforced disappearance, allegedly as punishment for his brother’s activism. The global outcry, with close to 33,000 signatures collected through Amnesty’s Write for Rights campaign, underscores the desperate need for justice.
Since his arrest on 20 May 2019, Oqba Hashad has experienced a range of abuses, including severe mistreatment in prison. His right leg was amputated, yet he has been denied a functional prosthetic limb, significantly impacting his mobility and resulting in severe back pain. The authorities have failed to provide him with vital medical care, exacerbating his ordeal.
Souleimene Benghazi, Amnesty International’s Egypt Campaigner, stated that Hashad is a victim of a blatant miscarriage of justice and should not have been detained in the first place. His continued incarceration defies global calls for his release and prolongs his suffering, highlighting the Egyptian authorities’ disregard for justice.
The manipulative practice of “rotation” has allowed authorities to indefinitely prolong Hashad’s detention beyond legal limits. In a shocking turn, a judge ordered his release on 20 February 2024, yet he was subject to enforced disappearance from 22 February until 2 March, only to face fresh charges upon re-detention.
During his time in custody, Oqba Hashad’s health has deteriorated significantly, with concerning impacts on both his physical and mental health. Family reports indicate a traumatic decline in his well-being, a testament to the dire conditions he endures in prison.
Oqba Hashad’s case has gained international prominence through Amnesty’s Write for Rights campaign, emphasizing the urgent need to advocate for those whose rights are severely compromised. His detention relates closely to his brother Amr Hashad’s activism, further illustrating the risks faced by families of human rights defenders in Egypt.
Amnesty International demands the immediate release of Oqba Hashad, a student detained for nearly six years due to his brother’s activism. The campaign has generated nearly 33,000 signatures, highlighting the global concern for his human rights violations, including torture and medical neglect. Hashad’s indefinite detention exceeds legal limits and underscores systemic abuses. His health is deteriorating, making urgent appeals for humanitarian intervention even more pressing.
The case of Oqba Hashad serves as a stark reminder of the chilling effects of arbitrary detention and human rights violations in Egypt. As calls for his release grow louder, the international community must unite to demand justice and bring attention to similar injustices faced by many. Hashad’s situation not only reflects a grave personal tragedy but also highlights the broader challenges within the Egyptian legal system. Immediate action is crucial to end his suffering and uphold the rights that should be afforded to all citizens.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
