"Today's verdict, like the one last month, defies even the most basic standards of international justice. The Egyptian government has the responsibility to ensure that every citizen is afforded due process, including the right to a fair trial in which evidence is clearly presented, and access to an attorney," the White House said in a statement.
"We urge the Egyptian government to end the use of mass trials, reverse this and previous mass sentences, and ensure that every citizen is afforded due process."
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed alarm over reports an Egyptian court issued death sentences to supporters of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
In a statement Monday, Ban said "verdicts that clearly appear not to meet basic fair trial standards, particularly those which impose the death penalty, are likely to undermine prospects for long-term stability.''
The United States said it was "deeply troubled" by the verdict. White House officials said it "defies even the most basic standards of international justice"..............[voanews.com]
28/4/14
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Egyptian Court Sentencing Recommendations
Jen Psaki, Department Spokesperson,April 28, 2014:
-
"The United States is deeply concerned by
today’s Egyptian court actions related to another mass trial and
preliminary death sentences as well as the banning of the April 6 Youth
Movement activities. Today’s preliminary death sentences against 683
defendants and the upholding of death sentences against 37 defendants
from a March 25 decision are unconscionable.
As the Secretary has said, it is impossible to believe that such proceedings could satisfy even the most basic standards of justice, let alone meet Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law. We again urge Egyptian authorities to remedy the situation and reverse these court rulings and ensure due process for the accused on the merits of individual cases. We continue to urge the Egyptian Government to suspend future mass trials of Egyptians.
Today’s decision by a court of urgent matters to ban the activities of The April 6 Youth Movement is also troubling. Supporters of the movement were at the forefront of the January 25, 2011 revolution that overthrew former president Mubarak, and the Government of Egypt must allow for the peaceful political activism that the group practices if Egypt’s interim Government intends to transition to democracy, as it has committed itself to do.
These court decisions run counter to the most basic democratic principles and foster the instability, extremism, and radicalization that Egypt’s interim Government says it seeks to resolve. We urge the Egyptian Government to demonstrate - through actions rather than words - its support for the universal human rights and freedoms and democratic, accountable governance that the Egyptian people continue to demand."
[state.gov]
28/4/14
As the Secretary has said, it is impossible to believe that such proceedings could satisfy even the most basic standards of justice, let alone meet Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law. We again urge Egyptian authorities to remedy the situation and reverse these court rulings and ensure due process for the accused on the merits of individual cases. We continue to urge the Egyptian Government to suspend future mass trials of Egyptians.
Today’s decision by a court of urgent matters to ban the activities of The April 6 Youth Movement is also troubling. Supporters of the movement were at the forefront of the January 25, 2011 revolution that overthrew former president Mubarak, and the Government of Egypt must allow for the peaceful political activism that the group practices if Egypt’s interim Government intends to transition to democracy, as it has committed itself to do.
These court decisions run counter to the most basic democratic principles and foster the instability, extremism, and radicalization that Egypt’s interim Government says it seeks to resolve. We urge the Egyptian Government to demonstrate - through actions rather than words - its support for the universal human rights and freedoms and democratic, accountable governance that the Egyptian people continue to demand."
[state.gov]
28/4/14
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