11 June 2020
FROM: Buthanani Goba
Secretary-General – SASCO
To: H. E Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
President – Arab Republic of Egypt
SUBJECT: FREEDOM FOR PATRICK GEORGE ZAKI
Your Excellency:
I respectfully send you warm greetings from the South African Students Congress (SASCO), a member of the All-Africa Students Union (AASU).
I write on behalf of the South African Students Congress (SASCO) to express deep concern about the detention of Mr Patrick George Zaki, a postgraduate degree student in gender studies at the Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Italy. Among other things, Mr Zaki has been charged with “publishing rumours and false news that aim to disturb social peace and sow chaos,” “incitement to protest without permission from the relevant authorities with the aim of undermining state authority,” “calling for the overthrow of the state,” “managing a social media account that aims to undermine the social order and public safety,” and “incitement to commit violence and terrorist crimes.” It is our understanding that no evidence has been publicly cited for these charges. Nevertheless, Mr Zaki continues to be held by Egyptian authorities without any basis, except that he has been at the forefront for the fight for human rights.
As is public record, on February 7, 2020, after over five months at the University of Bologna, Mr Zaki returned to Egypt for a brief family visit. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, the Egyptian National Security Agency reportedly arrested Mr Zaki, interrogated him about his time in Italy and his human rights work, and brought him to an undisclosed location where he was allegedly subjected to torture, including beatings and electric shocks. Twenty-four hours after his initial arrest, Mr Zaki was brought to a public prosecutor’s office, where he was detained for an additional fifteen days. Authorities have since extended Mr Zaki’s detention, postponed his detention renewal hearing, and transferred him to various detention facilities without notice to his family.
Your Excellency, as young people, we continue to look up to world leaders today to demonstrate tolerance for peaceful dissent. Whether young people choose to engage in peaceful civic participation or utilize other tactics to be heard, will depend in large part how they witness democracy and the rule of law being fulfilled and upheld in their country – two elements that sit at the cornerstone for building strong, accountable institutions and societies.
Your Excellency, you have demonstrated over the years, such leadership that empowers the African youth towards responsible citizenship and continental development. Under your auspices, several youth development programmes have been sanctioned, all aimed at developing young people to be responsible leaders, one of such initiatives being the “World Youth Forum” – a platform to build peace, prosperity, harmony, and human progress. Sir, I respectfully submit that these initiatives will not yield the desired fruits, if young people are not free to think and candidly express themselves in your own nation.
Your Excellency, it is you yourself who said, “Egypt’s Youth is its hope… With their Enthusiasm and knowledge, Egypt’s future will be built… And with their dedication, Egypt will prevail”
Sir, I am by this letter, empowered by hundreds of thousands of students who are our members, respectfully asking that you step in and ask for the immediate release of Mr Zaki so that he can continue pursuing his right to education.
Your Excellency, we look forward to your strong and decisive leadership.
Sincerely,
————
Buthanani Ngwane
Secretary General
South African Student Congress Buthanani Goba
Secretary-General – SASCO