Call for release of Irish citizen jailed in Egypt

Seán Kelly MEP will this week table a European Parliament Motion for Resolution, supported by the EPP Group, calling for the release of Ibrahim Halawa, an Irish citizen who is being held in an Egyptian jail without the right to a fair trial.

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.

"After two years in prison this young man has not been afforded the right to a fair trial. Mr Halawa has also been on hunger strike and his physical and mental health is rapidly deteriorating. We are also very concerned about the use of the death penalty in Egypt and the very nature of mass trials," Mr Kelly said today, ahead of a debate and vote by MEPs on the subject on Thursday, 17th December.

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.

This Resolution supports a previous request made by the Irish government for the release of Mr Halawa.

Mr Kelly also welcomed Egypt's facilitation of consular access to Mr Halawa, for the Irish government, and access to his legal representation.

"The Irish government, led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, have 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 added.

The Resolution authored by MEP Kelly is expected to come before the entire European Parliament on Thursday, 17th December for vote. It's adoption would be viewed as a strong message of support for Mr Halawa from the EU.

Mr Kelly has informed Mr Halawa's family of this development.