human rights defender

Ibrahim Metwaly

Actions and Campaigns

Urgent support needed

Medical assistance. He is suffering from severe prostate enlargement and inflammation, a condition that requires urgent intervention to prevent serious complications that pose a threat to his life

HRD's year of birth

1960

HRD's Gender

Man

Type of HRD

  • Lawyer

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights

HRD's geographical origin

Semi urban

Current Status

In prison (pre-trial)

HRD's bio and work

Ibrahim Metwaly is an Egyptian human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Association of the Families of the Disappeared, an organization dedicated to assisting families of victims of enforced disappearances in Egypt. His work primarily involves providing legal support to those whose loved ones have been forcibly disappeared, as well as advocating for the rights of political detainees. Ibrahim became personally involved in this cause after the disappearance of his own son, which motivated him to fight for justice not only for his family but for countless others affected by similar tragedies. His activism has drawn international attention to the issue of enforced disappearances in Egypt, highlighting the severe human rights violations committed by the state. Despite the personal risks, including his own arrest and enforced disappearance, Ibrahim has remained steadfast in his commitment to human rights. His work has made him a target for the Egyptian authorities, but it has also earned him recognition as a courageous defender of human rights both in Egypt and globally.

Detained since

Sep 10, 2017

Charge(s)

  • Terrorism

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Africa: Northern Africa

Location of detention - City/Town

Cairo

Location of detention - Facility

Cairo - Badr 3 prison

Recent case update / evolution

In November 2024, he was formally referred to trial in three pending cases

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