An African migrant was shot dead by Egyptian police as he tried to cross the Sinai border near the Rafah terminal, according to security officials. They said he was one of a group of Sub-Saharans trying to infiltrate Israel. His death brings to 25 the number of would-be migrants killed by Egyptian police since the beginning of the year. The Sinai is a crossing point for illegal migration and people trafficking.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Egyptian authorities to disclose the fate and whereabouts of Mohamed Saad Tork, who disappeared in July 2009 with strong indications that he was being held by the authorities, and prosecute those responsible. According to HRW, Tork's case highlights the continuing practice of enforced disappearances by Egypt's State Security Investigations agency.
"The brutal practice of 'disappearing' people is a terrible blight on Egypt's human rights record," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at HRW. "Authorities should immediately reveal Mohamed Tork's whereabouts and prosecute those responsible for his disappearance."
On 26th July 2009, Tork, a 23-year-old second-year dentistry student at Alexandria University, told his family he was going for a walk, according to HRW.
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