SF MEP welcomes cross-party motion on Ibrahim Halawa

SINN Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has welcomed news that a cross-party motion which calls for Ibrahim Halawa’s release from Egyptian jail is planned for the Dáil.

“I am delighted that senior politicians from Government and opposition parties have put political differences aside in the interests of human rights,” Ms Boylan said.

“Arrested as a juvenile at a pro-democracy protest in 2013, Ibrahim’s detention without trial for over two and a half years flouts both international and Egyptian law. This timely motion comes as Ibrahim faces his 900th day in prison.”

The Firhouse teenager was jailed aged 17 and has seen his court trial delayed 12 times in the past three years.

“All efforts to highlight this horrific situation for a young Irish man are to be welcomed,” Ms Boylan added. “In December of last year I was extremely pleased that Irish MEPs from across the political spectrum agreed to a petition for a motion calling for Ibrahim’s release. This strongly-worded motion condemned the Egyptian authorities’ treatment of Ibrahim and called for his release.

“If it goes ahead this cross-party motion in the Dáil will be another important step ahead of Ibrahim’s 13th trial date on March 6. I urge all TDs across the parties to support a strong call to release Ibrahim.”

Ms Boylan also recently chaired a UCD demonstration outside the Egyptian Embassy in Ballsbridge against the ongoing detention of Ibrahim Halawa.

UCD Sinn Féin, in partnership with UCD Students’ Union, staged the protest against  the continuing unlawful detention of the Irish citizen and is calling for his immediate release and return to Ireland.

Somaia Halawa, Ibrahim’s sister and former UCD student, also attended the demonstration.