Full Minutes of the Meetings

Session of Thursday, 10 April 2003

Human Rights in Egypt

Karamanou (PSE). – Mr. President, another resolution for Egypt. Do you think this time our voice will reach the ears of those in charge? Because until now, they have been blatantly ignoring us.

The new trial of the 50 defendants on March 15 and the conviction of 21 of them to even harsher sentences, demonstrates in the most dramatic way that this country has absolutely no respect for fundamental freedoms, human rights, or privacy. Among the detainees is a Greek citizen, Kostas Kastanias, who is also facing serious health problems. Unfortunately, the Egyptian government refuses to transfer him to Greece.

In the end, Egypt does not respect international conventions, nor agreements with the European Union, nor even its own laws, which do not criminalize homosexuality. Given this, the question arises: Who governs Egypt? Is there a rule of law, or does the deep state of fanatical Islamists govern? With whom, in the end, is the European Union making agreements, Commissioner? Are you actually going to do something about these issues? How do you plan to use the power and influence of the European Union so that Egypt respects fundamental rights and immediately releases those unjustly detained?