The military trial of five fishermen in Egypt for doing their job at Lake Bardawil is a clear violation of basic human rights and fair legal process.
Development Diaries reports that a military police unit from Egypt’s Future Sustainable Development Agency (EFSDA) arrested five fishermen at Lake Bardawil on 06 and 07 January, 2025.
It is understood that military prosecutors investigated the men on charges of fishing during ‘prohibited periods’ as well as being in a military area without permission.
There are human rights concerns in this development.
The Egyptian government should not put civilians on trial in military courts, as this goes against international law.
These courts are not fair because military judges and prosecutors report to the Minister of Defence instead of an independent judiciary.
The trial process has also been unfair, as the fishermen’s lawyers were not allowed to question witnesses, and hearings were held without the accused being present.
This case shows how Egypt is increasing military control over civilian life, especially in North Sinai.
The presidential Decree No. 294 of 2019 by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi put Lake Bardawil under military rule, taking control away from civilian authorities. Also, the creation of Egypt’s Future Sustainable Development Agency (EFSDA) has given the military even more power over important economic areas.
This has harmed thousands of fishermen who depend on the lake for their livelihood and has made it harder for people to question or resist government actions.
The Egyptian government’s decision to expand military courts’ power over civilians is a serious problem, as new changes to the law now allow military courts to handle many more cases, including crimes related to public buildings and services.
These laws make it easier for the government to unfairly punish civilians. Instead of protecting the people, these laws give more power to the military and weaken democracy and justice.
It is quite unfortunate that Egypt has a history of using military courts to silence civilians. In December 2024, 62 people from North Sinai were jailed for protesting against their forced eviction.
The use of military trials against peaceful protesters, journalists, and ordinary people restricts free speech and assembly, and the case of the fishermen is part of this wider pattern, showing how the government uses military power to control the population.
If Egypt continues on this path, it will harm its people’s freedoms and rights, making life harder for many citizens.
It is worthy to note that Egypt has ratified several international human rights treaties, including the the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
Development Diaries calls on the Egyptian government to stop using military courts for civilians and drop the charges against the fishermen and ensure they are released immediately.
Furthermore, we call for laws to be changed to make sure civilians are only tried in regular courts, and for the government to return control of civilian areas to civilian authorities.
Photo source: Amnesty International
