"Sources in Egypt, communicating under condition of anonymity, fear the men are being tortured while in detention."

San Francisco-based International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) publicly deplored the Egyptian government's decision to prosecute 52 men before an Emergency State Security Court on charges of "obscene behavior" and expressing "contempt for religion." An Egyptian prosecutor is schedule to review their continued detention shortly.

The two organizations condemned the men's detention since May 11, when they were arrested
apparently on suspicion that they had engaged in consensual homosexual behavior, and expressed grave concern that they may have been subjected to torture in detention. Initial reports in the Egyptian media suggested that the men arrested were part of a "Satanic cult."

"Egyptian law does not outlaw homosexuality, but these men are being held on charges of violating public morals." said Scott Long, IGLHRC's Policy Director. "They are really being punished for exercising their basic rights to free expression and free association."

The men were initially held incommunicado, unable to contact lawyers or relatives, and some were reportedly beaten and ill-treated. The procedures of the Emergency State Security Court for
Misdemeanors, established under Egypt's state of emergency legislation, do not comply with
international fair trial standards. If convicted, the men face prison terms ranging from three months to nine years. There is no right of appeal to a higher tribunal.

• exploiting Islam, including through the false interpretation of Koranic verses, in order to propagate extremist ideas
• performing immoral acts
• using perverted sexual practices in rituals
• being contemptuous and derisory toward the revealed religions
• fomenting sedition or strife.

IGLHRC and HRW are gravely concerned that these men are being brought to trial because of their sexual orientation, as well as for the exercise of their rights to free expression and association.

For more information contact Sydney Levy at 415-255-8680 or sydney@iglhrc.org.