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Irish Gaza activists among 23 people currently under police escort in Egypt

category international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report author Monday December 28, 2009 12:31author by Fintan Lane - IPSC media officer

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has just heard that Zoe Lawlor from Limerick and Hilary Minch from Dublin, both IPSC members, were among 23 Gaza solidarity activists taken off a bus to al Areish today by Egyptian police. Those detained are currently being brought back to Cairo under police escort. The police are holding their passports.

The 23 activists include two Irish, 15 Germans, two Palestinians, two Turks and three Americans. All were intending to participate in the 'Gaza Freedom March' on 31 December. The Egyptian government has systemically harassed the international delegates to the march since their arrival in Egypt and is refusing to allow them to cross into Gaza.

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign condemns today's disgraceful action by the Egyptian authorites, and demands that Hilary Minch and Zoe Lawlor, along with their colleagues, be released immediately from detention with their passports returned. This is an outrageous attempt to intimidate human rights activists.

For further information, phone Fintan Lane (IPSC media officer) at 087 1258325.

Related Link: http://www.ipsc.ie

Comments (3 of 3)

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Sit down protest in progress
author by Fintan Lane - IPSC media officerpublication date Mon Dec 28, 2009 13:48author address author phone

Those detained by Egyptian police are engaged in a sit-down right now at a police checkpoint near Cairo, demanding their passports back from the police. Both Zoe and Hilary are participating in this sit down.

Nearly in Cairo
author by Fintan Lanepublication date Mon Dec 28, 2009 14:09author address author phone

They've just got their passports back. Almost in Cairo now - still under escort. Hopefully, they will be released from detention once they reach Cairo.

Egypt is certainly putting in a big effort to destroy international efforts to engage in solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza. Truly shameful.

Out of police custody
author by Fintan Lanepublication date Mon Dec 28, 2009 19:03author address author phone

Zoe and Hilary are now back in Cairo and minus their 'police escort'.

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/95227

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