Published: Mon, 14 December 2015
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Seán Kelly MEP will this week table a European Parliament Motion for Resolution calling for the release of Ibrahim Halawa, an Irish citizen who is being held in an Egyptian jail.
Ibrahim Halawa, an Irish citizen from South Dublin, who was born in Ireland to Egyptian parents, was arrested in Egypt in August 2013 following a protest in Cairo, aged 17 years old and now faces a mass trial.
The Resolution cites Article 10 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights which considers that everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his/her rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him/her.
The Resolution supports previous representations made by the Irish government for the release of Mr Halawa.
“The Irish government, led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, has made several representations to Egypt on this case and continue to work tirelessly on the issue. This EU-level Resolution aims to further strengthen our call for fairness, human dignity and justice for Mr Halawa,” Mr Kelly said.
The Irish South MEP also welcomed Egypt’s facilitation of consular access to Mr Halawa, for the Irish government, and access to his legal representation.
The Resolution, authored by MEP Kelly, will come before the entire European Parliament for vote on Thursday, 17th December. It’s adoption would be viewed as a strong message of support for Mr Halawa from the EU.
Mr Halawa’s family has been informed accordingly.
