Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Report Visit to Cairo 18-21 August 2015 An Comhchoiste um Ghnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádáil Tuarascáil Cuairt ar Cairo 18-21 Lúnasa 2015
INTRODUCTION The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, at its meeting on 15 July 2015 decided that a delegation of the Committee, led by the Chairman, should visit Cairo for the purpose of, inter alia, visiting Mr Ibrahim Halawa in Wadi Al Natroun prison near Cairo. The case of Mr Ibrahim Halawa had been under consideration by the Committee on an ongoing basis for some time and it was considered timely to visit him. It was noted that the proposed travel episode was conditional on receiving an invitation and permission to visit the prison from the Egyptian authorities. The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, requested HE Ambassador Soha Gendi, Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to facilitate the visit by a delegation of the Committee. On 28 July 2015 the Chairman received an invitation to visit Cairo from HE Ambassador Soha Gendi, Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dublin. The invitation extended only to the Chairman and an official to accompany him in the usual way. The visit was arranged to take place on 19 and 20 August in Cairo necessitating travel on 18 (outward) and 21 August (return). Prior to his departure, the Chairman met with members of the Halawa Family and a representative (legal) on 17 August. At that meeting, the Chairman heard the concerns of the family and their representative in relation to Mr Halawa. The draft programme for the visit is appended. The Chairman was accompanied by Ms Michelle Grant, Principal Committees Secretariat (EU and International Relations). For the duration of the visit in Cairo, the Chair was also accompanied by Mr Cormac Gallagher, Chargé d Affaires a.i. and Mr Seán Norton, Third Secretary, Embassy of Ireland, Cairo. The Chairman records his appreciation for the assistance given by Ireland s diplomats in preparing for and in the course of the visit, notably - (i) (ii) (iii) Mr Cormac Gallagher, Chargé d Affaires, a.i., Embassy of Ireland, Cairo Mr Seán Norton, Third Secretary, Embassy of Ireland, Cairo and Officials from Consular Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade including Ms Caitríona Ingoldsy and Ms Margaret Stanley, and officials from Middle East and North Africa Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade including Mr Conor Long. CAIRO, 19 August 2015 Wadi Al Natroun prison near Cairo The Chairman, accompanied by Ms Grant, Mr Cormac Gallagher, Chargé d Affaires a.i. and Mr Sean Norton, Third Secretary Embassy of Ireland, Cairo visited Wadi Al Natroun prison. While the prison is near Cairo it was noted, for the purpose of access/ visiting arrangements, that the travel time is approx. 1hr 30 mins when travelling directly by car; it is unclear whether there is reliable public transport serving the prison. Generally, conditions around the prison appear difficult for ordinary visitors. Waiting facilities within the perimeter wall are limited to basic shading from extreme heat and sunlight.
On this occasion, the Warden of Wadi Al Natroun prison, Brigadier General Alaa welcomed the Chairman and the visit took place in his office. The visit with Mr Halawa took place in the presence of Brigadier General Alaa and a number of his staff. The Chairman opened the meeting outlining to Mr Halawa the concerns expressed by members the Committee and the purpose of the meeting which was to explore with him the conditions of his detainment. The Chairman outlined that the focus of the visit was health and welfare issues rather than the legal aspects of his case which are proper to the legal team retained by or on behalf of Mr Halawa. The Chairman also sought to reassure Mr Halawa that his case is receiving the attention of the Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and, in addition to the concern of Members of the Houses, there is considerable media and public interest in his case. Mr Halawa spoke of the conditions in the prison and his desire to have one-onone visits with members of his family and for those visits to be of longer duration. The Chairman, at the request of Mr Halawa s family, raised the issue of his health and any ailments he may be suffering. The Chairman also explored options for Mr Halawa in continuing his education while he remains in detention. The Chairman agreed to raise the concerns of Mr Halawa s in relation to welfare issues with the appropriate authorities. The Meeting concluded and the Chairman thanked the Warden, Brigadier General Alaa for facilitating the visit. Foreign Ministry, Meeting with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry The Chairman met, in the first instance, with the Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Mr Hatem Seif El-Nasr and a number of issues were discussed including the detention of Mr. Ibrahim Halawa, his age as a minor at the time of his detention and the perception of the Irish media and the Irish public in relation to his case. The challenges facing Egypt at this time were also discussed. While there has been a downward trend in tourism, there are positives emerging e.g. the opening of the Suez Canal Project is a very recent success which was funded by contributions of the Egyptian people. In relation to terrorism and the security tensions in the Middle East, issues such as the impact of social media, the need for vigilance and the challenges in protecting borders were discussed. The Chairman subsequently met with Foreign Minister Mr Sameh Hassan Shoukry. The Chairman recorded his appreciation of the Foreign Ministry and HE Ambassador Soha Gendi, Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dublin, in facilitating the visit, in particular, in making arrangements for the visit to Wadi Al Natroun prison. The Chairman also spoke of the affinity between the Irish and Egyptian people and the need, particularly in challenging times, to develop and maintain good relations. The Foreign Minister spoke of the challenges facing the Egyptian Government; in addition to the security concerns and the need to provide stability both in Egypt and the wider region, there are also challenges in providing for the more basic needs of the people of Egypt including the provision of food, employment and education.
In relation to security concerns, the assassination of the Prosecutor General in June and the more recent incidents (including the kidnapping and execution of a Croation national on the outskirts of Cairo) in August emphasises the need for stability. The turbulence within Egypt and the implications for the wider region were also discussed. The Chairman also raised his concerns in relation to Mr Halawa as discussed earlier that day. In re-iterating that the visit was not, nor could be, viewed as interference in the judicial process of another jurisdiction, the Committee has heard of a number of concerns in relation to the case, in particular, the age of Mr Halawa when first detained. As a 17 year old, Mr Halawa was, at the time, a minor when detained. The Foreign Minister confirmed that Mr Charlie Flanagan, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade had spoken to him and continues to speak with him in relation to the case. The Foreign Minister also agreed to pass details of the concerns regarding Mr Halawa s welfare while in detention to the Interior Minister who has responsibility for the governance and administration of the prison system within Egypt. The meeting concluded with a discussion of the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Egypt. While these have been delayed, Foreign Minister Shoukry outlined that it is intended that the elections will be held later in 2015 or early in 2016. While the outcome of these elections cannot be predicted, Minister Shoukry opined that it is likely that a coalition will be required to form a majority. He stated that the Egyptian Government is committed to working with the elected majority. Official Residence The Chairman attended an informal dinner hosted by Mr Cormac Gallagher, Chargé d Affaires, a.i. at the Official Residence. Members of the Diplomatic Corps in Egypt were also in attendance. The discussion focused on experiences where foreign nationals were detained and in need of consular assistance. From the discussion it was clear that the experience of other countries, to date, is that the judicial process must be concluded before any other intervention may be made. CAIRO, 20 August 2015 Ministry of the Interior The Chairman met with senior officials from the Ministry of the Interior and the Egyptian Prison Authority. The Egyptian officials were led by General Hesham Hamid, Head of International Co-operation at the Ministry of the Interior. At the outset, the Chairman expressed his sympathy and concern in relation to the overnight bombing of the state security building in Cairo in which six police officers had been wounded. The security incidents within Egypt following the June assassination of the Prosecutor General and the Tunisian massacre point to significant security challenges for Egypt and the wider region. General Hamid commented that combatting terrorism in Egypt and the Middle East is a priority and the Egyptian authorities are open to assistance (e.g. exchange of information, expertise and the provision of equipment) from other countries.
The Chairman raised the case of Mr Ibrahim Halawa and recorded his appreciation of the manner in which the visit to Wadi Al Natroun prison had been facilitated. The Chairman outlined the welfare concerns pertaining to this case. General Hamid, in turn, confirmed that Mr Halawa is detained and, while detained, Mr Halawa remains under the supervision of the Courts, the judicial process and the Prosecutor General. In relation to the conditions of detainees, General Hamid confirmed the arrangements in place for- the medical supervision of detainees prison visits and detainees who wish to pursue an approved course of education (including those approved by other States). General Hamid confirmed that his officials would co-ordinate with the consular staff of the Embassy of Ireland in providing consular assistance to Mr Halawa.
Appendix Draft Itinerary [at 17 August] Visit to Cairo by Chairman of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr. Pat Breen T.D. 18 21 August 2015 Tuesday 18 August All times are local 09.50 Depart Dublin Aer Lingus EI 158. Arrive London Heathrow Terminal 2 11.10 15.00 Depart London Heathrow Terminal 2 Egyptair MS 778 20.50 Arrive Cairo International Airport Terminal 3 Met by Sean Norton, Third Secretary, Irish Embassy Transfer to hotel (approx. 1 hour) Overnight Cairo Marriott Hotel Zamalek Wednesday 19 August 09.00 Meeting with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Foreign Ministry Visit Wadi Al Natroun prison outside Cairo. Accompanied by officials from the Embassy of Ireland in Egypt. 19.30 Dinner at Residence hosted by Chargé d Affaires, Cormac Gallagher Venue: Official Residence, 8 Shagaret El Durr Street, Zamalek. Overnight Cairo Marriott Hotel Zamalek Thursday 20 August Meeting at Foreign Ministry Meeting at Ministry of Interior Briefing from EU Delegation on political developments in Egypt Overnight Cairo Marriott Hotel Zamalek