The Bar of Ireland Releases Statement Expressing Concern Over Ibrahim Halawa

The statement reads:

The Human Rights Committee of The Bar of Ireland wishes to express its concern about the ongoing detention without trial of Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa.

Mr. Halawa was arrested and detained, as a minor, in Egypt in August 2013. Since his arrest and detention, Mr. Halawa’s trial for the offences of which he has been accused, has been adjourned 17 times. His trial was adjourned again yesterday, his 21st birthday, and is re-listed for the 17th of January 2017. This means that that he will have been in pre-trial detention for almost three and a half years in breach of his right to a trial without undue delay in accordance with international human rights norms and conventions. The Committee also has concerns as to the vindication of his right to a fair trial in circumstances where it is understood that he is to be tried concurrently with several hundred other accused.

The Human Rights Committee notes with serious concern the issues raised by NGOs with a presence on the ground in Egypt about the conditions and circumstances of Mr. Halawa’s detention and welcomes plans for an upcoming visit by a delegation of members of the Oireachtas.

The Committee trusts that the Irish Government will continue its efforts, at the highest levels, to ensure that Mr. Halawa’s human rights pursuant to international law are fully respected and vindicated.

Yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan insisted: “The Irish Government remains determined to see Ibrahim Halawa return to his family in Ireland and we will not relent in our efforts with the Egyptian authorities to secure Ibrahim’s release."