Anne-Marie Irwin Formed Part Of International Observation Group

Specialist lawyer Anne-Marie Irwin spoke in the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday regarding the case of a woman arrested by security forces after posting a video on Facebook in which she criticised a government for not protecting women against sexual harassment.

Human rights defender Amal Fathy, of Egypt, was arrested in May last year. She was subsequently charged with a number of offences including diffusing false news, disseminating material against public morals, deliberately thwarting the Egyptian presidential elections, disturbing public opinion and using the internet to spread ideas calling for terrorist acts.

Anne-Marie, an expert public law and human rights lawyer based at Irwin Mitchell’s London office was part of an international group who observed Ms Fathy’s trial in Cairo last September to determine whether she received a fair trial.

A report was produced by the organisations the Solicitors’ International Human Rights Group (SIHRG) and EuroMed Rights which highlights concern about the fairness of Ms Fathy’s trial and a number of breaches of international fair trial standards.

Anne-Marie introduced the report and its findings during an event hosted by MEP Ana Gomes at the European Parliament, in support of human rights defenders.

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She said: “The fact that Amal Fathy did not receive a fair trial is extremely concerning but what is even more worrying is that impartial international observers found that many of the issues identified in this case seem to be commonplace within the judicial system in Egypt.

“It was a privilege to speak at the European Parliament and help highlight the issues that people going through the courts in some countries still face and how vital it is that everyone receives a fair trial.” Anne-Marie Irwin - Senior Associate

The report concluded that Ms Fathy was denied the chance to know details of the charges against her, therefore preventing her from being able to prepare a defence. She was not presumed innocent, and was denied the right to legal assistance and to be able to call and examine witnesses.

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