Arrest of Dr. Ibrahim in Egypt

It is believed that his arrest stemmed from Dr. Ibrahim's work as a scholar, scientist, and human rights advocate.

The American Sociological Association expressed its serious concerns in the following letter from ASA's President and Executive Officer.

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July 12, 2000

Dear Ambassador Fahmy:

On behalf of the American Sociological Association (ASA), we are writing to urge that the Arab Republic of Egypt take immediate steps to address the treatment of Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim. We are concerned that his arrest on June 30, 2000 was motivated by an effort to limit his work as a scientist in his field. We ask that you assure his safety and well-being through unconditionally releasing him or granting him bail until he can respond appropriately to any charges. We are also concerned that similar actions were taken against others on his staff.

As you may know, Dr. Ibrahim holds an appointment at the American University in Cairo where he directs the Ibn Khaldun Center for Developmental Studies. Trained in the United States, Ibrahim is a citizen of the United States as well as of Egypt. With a doctorate from the University of Washington, his sociological work is well known and highly regarded by the scholarly community.

We wish to note that the Science and Human Rights Program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has protested the arrest of Dr. Saad Edin Ibrahim and has called for his immediate and unconditional release. The ASA is an affiliate member of AAAS and works closely with it when presented with potential human rights violations and concerns.

We would appreciate a response as soon as possible. Absent a change in these circumstances, we remain gravely concerned.

Joe R. Feagin, PhD
ASA President 2000

Felice J. Levine, PhD
ASA Executive Officer

Cc: His Excellency Mohammed Hosni Mubarak
The Honorable Farouk Seif El Naser
The Honorable General Habib Ibrahim El Adly
The Ibn Khaldun Center for Developmental Studies
The Honorable Daniel Kurtzer
ASA Council
AAAS Science and Human Rights Program