Ali Mahmoud Abdel-Wanis: Human Rights Groups Urge President Tinubu to Halt Deportation to Egypt

A coalition of 15 Local and International Human Rights Organizations has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the case of Ali Mahmoud Abdel-Wanis, an Egyptian citizen facing deportation from Nigeria to Egypt.

The organizations claim that Abdel-Wanis would be at high risk of potential torture if deported to Egypt, where a military despot is in charge.

The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA Global Resource Initiative) and other organizations have written to President Tinubu, urging him to stop the forced deportation order.

According to Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, Executive Director of HURMA, “The victim stands a high risk of potential torture in the hand of the Military Despot presently in charge in the Arab Republic of Egypt if forcibly deported.”

The appeal is supported by several International Human Rights Organizations, including:

• EFDI International (Belgium)
• Victims of Torture (Geneva)
• Justice for Human Rights (JHR) (Turkey)
• Tawasul for Human Rights (The Hague)
• Human Rights Monitor (London)
• Solidarity for Human Rights (Geneva)
• Egyptian Human Rights Council (Geneva)
• Alkarama for Human Rights (Geneva)
• CEDAR for Human Rights (Lebanon)
• El-Shehab Center for Human Rights (London)
• Free Voice for Human Rights (Paris)
• Najda for Human Rights (London)
• International Lawyers Organization
• SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties (Geneva)
• United Action for Democracy (UAD) (Nigeria)

The Justice for Human Rights Foundation (JHR Istanbul) and AFD Belgium have also written to International Bodies, including:

• Mr. Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights (Geneva)
• Head of the Middle East and North Africa Division of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Committee against Torture
• Special Rapporteur on Torture

These organizations are urging the International Community to intervene and take urgent action to save Abdel-Wanis from potential torture.

The human rights groups are calling on the Nigerian Government to respect the Convention Against Torture, which it ratified in 2001.

Deporting Abdel-Wanis to Egypt would be a violation of this convention and put him at risk of torture.

The organizations are seeking urgent action from President Tinubu and the Nigerian Government to halt the deportation and ensure Abdel-Wanis’s safety.

The case highlights the need for Governments to prioritize human rights and protect individuals from potential harm.