Egypt: Trials of Civilians in Military Courts Violate International Law

In a major shift of policy, the Egyptian government in October 1992 began to try in military courts civilians accused of "terrorism" offenses, bypassing the security-court system staffed by civilian judges that has been in place under Egypt's long-standing emergency law. President Hosni Mubarak said that he would use military courts "in cases that require quick measures." Since the trials started last year, the proceedings have been conducted swiftly by Supreme Military Courts sitting in Alexandria and Cairo. Sentences have been harsh. The death penalty has been imposed on a total of twenty-three men, and executions by hanging began last month. As of the date of publication of this newsletter, nine of the condemned men have been executed, including seven who were hanged on July 8, 1993.