Joint Official Statement

Joint Official Statement

Friday, August 1, 2025.

Regarding the detention of Egyptian student Marwan Mohamed Magdy Othman Ahmed by Malaysian authorities in preparation for his extradition to Egypt

In an incident that has raised widespread human rights concerns, Malaysian authorities have arrested the young Egyptian Marwan Mohamed Magdy Othman Ahmed, a university student residing in Malaysia, after he wrote protest slogans on the walls of the Egyptian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, calling for the opening of the Rafah crossing and in support of besieged Gaza.

The peaceful protest step taken by Marwan was an expression of his solidarity with civilians in the Gaza Strip; however, the Egyptian embassy considered this act a "threat to national security" and filed an official complaint accusing him of "high treason," according to reports from the Malaysian police.

Malaysian authorities are currently holding Marwan, amid rapid legal movements for his potential extradition to Egypt, which the organizations signing this statement consider a blatant violation of the principle of non-refoulement, as it is a decision that would expose him to the risk of arbitrary detention, torture, and unfair trial. International reports largely agree on Egypt's violations of human rights standards, excessive use of torture, and widespread enforced disappearance, with a lack of fair trial standards for political prisoners.

We, as international human rights organizations, demand that the Malaysian state adhere to its international obligations under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

We call on Malaysia to comply with the provisions of paragraph one of Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture, which states: "No State Party shall expel, return ('refouler') or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture."

The Egyptian university student Marwan Mohamed Magdy Othman is at risk of torture and cruel treatment in the Arab Republic of Egypt, which makes the Malaysian government responsible for the safety and security of this young man.

The signatories of this statement urge the Malaysian state not to extradite Marwan to Egypt to avoid involvement in this unprecedented crime.

Signing Organizations:

          🔹 Association of Victims of Torture - Geneva - AVTT

          🔹 EFDI International - Belgium.

         🔹 Justice for Human Rights - JHR - Turkey

         🔹 Alkarama for Human Rights - Geneva

         🔹 Al-Shehab for Human Rights - SHR - London

         🔹 Cedar for Legal Studies - Lebanon

         🔹 Solidarity for Human Rights - Geneva

          Human Rights Monitor - London

         🔹 Free Voice Organization - France

         🔹 Tawasul for Human Rights - Netherlands

         🔹 Egyptian Rights Council - Geneva.