A group of eight United Nations (UN) human rights experts on 31 March urged the Egyptian authorities to quash the 529 death sentences announced in Egypt last week and give the defendants new and fair trials, so as to ensure respect of international human rights law. On 24 March, 529 individuals were sentenced to death in Egypt on charges related to the events leading to the ousting of the government of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013. At least 600 more individuals are currently under trial for similar charges.
The UN experts said. They also expressed deep concern about numerous procedural irregularities reported during the recent proceedings, such as limited access to lawyers, trials in absentia, or the mass imposition of the death sentences.