Civil Society Organizations in Solidarity with Egypt's Judges 

Following the current stance of Egypt's judges, the organizations signing this statement express complete solidarity with judges in Egypt when they demand a law that protects and preserves the independence of the Judiciary Authority and the judges as a basic right of citizens exercised by judges.

The organizations signing this statement announce their support of the judges' stance that refuses the Supreme Judiciary Council's draft Judiciary Authority Law, the stance which the judges announced on Friday. 17 February, 2006 at the Judges' Club in Alexandria, particularly that Egypt's judges did not have the opportunity to access and discuss the draft law.

On the other hand, the organizations signing this statement express their extreme displeasure and concern towards some of the measures taken against the Egyptian Judiciary, represented in suspending the financial assistance previously allocated to the Egypt's Judges' Club and the actions that followed which included withdrawing immunity and the pursuit of some Egyptian judges because of their declared stances concerning the Judiciary Authority Law which is subject to complete secrecy on part of the Egyptian government, as well as referring some of the top judges in Egypt to investigation through State Security Prosecution.

The mentioned organizations express doubts and concerns towards these measures, fearing they are the start of attempts to harm the dignity of the Egyptian Judiciary and judges and taking judiciary or administrative measures against the judges in order to influence their will and violate their rights to independence. 

Expressing their displeasure due to the measures taken against Court of Cassation judges, the undersigned organizations express their complete solidarity with the judges and affirm that they will closely follow the development of these actions.

The mentioned organizations also affirms that the independence of the Judiciary Authority is not a concern restricted to Egypt's judges, but rather a public concern that involves citizens, whether rulers or ruled.

Following with extreme concern the judiciary pursuit of some of the Court of Cassation judges, the undersigned organizations call upon relevant authorities to closely follow the situation and ensure that Egypt's international obligations and pledges concerning the independence of the Judiciary are observed and respected.

Organizations Signing the Statement:

1.     Andalus Center for Tolerance Studies

2.     Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession

3.     Arab Organization for Criminal Reform

4.     Arab Program for Human Rights Activists

5.     Arab Research Center

6.     Awlad al-Ard (Sons of the Land) Human Rights Foundation

7.     Center for Alternative Development Studies and Programs

8.     Dialogue Forum Association for Development and Human Rights

9.     Egyptian Association for Increasing Societal Participation

10. Egyptian Association in Support of Democratic Development

11. Egyptian Center for Housing Rights

12. Group for Democracy Development

13. Habi Center for Environmental Rights

14. Hisham Mubarak Law Center

15. Human Rights Association for Legal Aid

16. Human Rights Association for the Assistance of Prisoners

17. Land Center for Human Rights

18. Maat Legal and Constitutional Studies Center

19. Nadim Center for Treatment and Psychological Rehabilitation

20. National Committee in Defense of Rights and Freedoms

21. New Woman Research Center

22. Shomou3 (Candles) Association for Human and Challenged Persons' Rights

23. The Egyptian initiative for Personal Rights