Mohammad Hosni Mubarak
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
‘Abedine Palace
Cairo
Egypt

Your Excellency:

I am writing to you regarding the "disappearance" of Marwa al-Sayyid Metwalli Hafez, an 18-year-old woman who has been missing in Egypt for six months.

On the morning of 18 August 1996, she left her home to go shopping and never returned. In September there were unconfirmed reports that she was being held in detention in a State Security Investigations Department building in Cairo. Then, in January, her family received reports that she had been seen in al-Qanater al-Khairiya Prison outside Cairo, and they tried to visit her there. Prison authorities initially told them they could see her, but then denied she was there and made the family leave immediately.

I am very concerned about the "disappearance" of this young woman. I understand that a group of security officers was in the same area as she on the morning she "disappeared," and they arrested a number of suspected Islamists. If Marwa al-Sayyid Metwalli Hafez was one of those detained, she should either be charged with a recognizably criminal offense or else be released -- immediately and unconditionally. If she is in detention, I ask that she be treated humanely at all times.

Mr. President, I believe that no one should be subjected to "disappearance" or torture, or be held in detention without charge or trial, in your country or any other. I hope you agree and will use your influence to ensure that the proper authorities establish Marwa al-Sayyid Metwalli Hafez’s whereabouts as quickly as possible and make that information public. Since circumstances suggest a possible involvement of government security officers, I urge you to establish a public inquiry into her "disappearance" and ensure that those found responsible are brought to justice.

Respectfully yours,