International PEN is seriously concerned about the imprisonment without charge or trial of novelist, blogger and activist Mosaad Suleiman Hassan (pen name: Mosaad Abu-Fajr), who has been held since December 26, 2007, for his peaceful political activism. PEN fears that he is being held solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions and calls for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Egypt is a signatory. It seeks assurances about his health and well-being as a matter of urgency.

Background Information

According to PEN’s information, novelist and Internet writer Mosaad Abu-Fajr has been detained without charge since December 26, 2007 for his peaceful activism in support of the Bedouins of the Sinai Peninsula, his own native people, who are said to be ill-treated by the Egyptian authorities in Northern Sinai. The area borders the Gaza Strip, where the political climate is extremely volatile, and the risk of terrorist attack is high. Mosaad Abu-Fajr was previously briefly detained in September 2007.

Mosaad Abu-Fajr has reportedly published one novel titled Talit el-Badan, the name of a mountain in Sinai province. He is also the editor of the web site Wedna N’ish’ (We Want To Live), which he founded as a mouthpiece for Sinai Bedouins. He is said to remain detained without charge or trial in spite of repeated court rulings ordering his release. In November 2008 it was reported that his health had sharply deteriorated as a result of a hunger strike, and in early December 2008 he was reportedly moved from Borg Al Arab Prison, possibly in preparation for his release. However, his whereabouts are currently unknown and concerns for his well-being are mounting.

Write A Letter

  • Expressing serious concern about the detention of novelist and blogger Mosaad Suleiman Hassan (pen name Mosaad Abu-Fajr), who has been held for over a year without charge or trial, apparently for his non-violent political activism in support of the Bedouins of Northern Sinai, and in violation of repeated court rulings ordering his release;
  • Seeking information about Mosaad Abu-Fajr’s whereabouts and well-being as a matter of urgency, and calling for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Egypt is a signatory.

Send Your Letter To

His Excellency Mohammad Hosni Mubarak
President of the Republic of Egypt
Heliopolis
Egypt
Fax: +202 390 1998

His Excellency Dr. Mamdouh Muheiddin Marei
Minister of Justice
Magles El Shaab St
Justice Bldg
Cairo
Egypt
Fax: +202 7958103

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Egypt in your country if possible.

Please check with PEN if sending appeals after February 20, 2009: ftw[at]pen.org