In Egypt, we write to the Minister of the Interior regarding deep concern for Tal’at Sadat, a member of parliament who was sentenced by a military court to one year’s imprisonment, with labor, in October 2006 for “spreading false rumors and insulting the armed forces.” His case represents an increase in the erosion of freedom of expression in Egypt. On the 25th anniversary of the assassination of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, his nephew Tal’at Sadat gave a series of media interviews in which he accused the armed forces and senior officials of the Republican Guards of involvement in the plot to kill his uncle. Mr. Sadat was stripped of his parliamentary immunity and denied full rights to legal defense. Although a civilian, he was tried before a military court, from which there is no right of appeal. Several Egyptian human rights groups condemned his imprisonment. Amnesty International considers Mr. Sadat to be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Egypt is a party, states that everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression and shall not be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. We call on the Egyptian government to ensure adherence to these obligations, asking for the immediate and unconditional release of Tal’at Sadat. Next, we write to the president of Sri Lanka about reports that escalating violence between the Sri Lankan government and the opposition Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has resulted in the death and injury of scores of civilians, the displacement of more than 200,000 people, and the destruction of homes, schools and places of worship. Neither faction is complying with international humanitarian law, which prohibits combatants from targeting civilians or carrying out indiscriminate attacks. For example, in November 2006, the Sri Lankan Army fired multi-barrel rockets and artillery shells hitting a school where internally displaced persons were taking shelter. At least forty civilians were killed. The Sri Lankan government has accused the LTTE of using civilians as human shields, however, the government is also not taking sufficient steps to protect civilians at risk during the fighting. FW request that the Sri Lankan government commence an immediate inquiry by international and independent human rights experts into this incident and all other serious violations of human rights. Finally, we address the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam regarding lawyer Bui Thi Kim Thanh, who is being held against her will at a psychiatric hospital. She has reportedly been forcibly injected with unknown drugs. Amnesty International reports that there is apparently no medical basis for these injections or for her confinement. It appears that authorities are punishing her for her pro-democracy work. Ms. Thanh is a lawyer for the Democratic Party of Vietnam, an unauthorized organization which calls for multi-party democracy and human rights. She has also represented, free of charge, low-income families in her community who are seeking redress for property confiscated by the authorities. In November 2006, police took her from her home to a nearby hospital, where they tried to have her committed. Two psychiatrists assessed her and concluded that she was not suffering from mental illness. Police then took her to Bien Hoa Mental Hospital, where she was admitted and remains confined. She has been described as being unable to talk as an apparent consequence of the injections. Authorities reportedly offered to release her on condition that she not speak about her treatment. Since she refused, she is no longer allowed to receive visits from her family. She reportedly has not been charged with any offense. The rights to freedom of expression and association are enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a party. To honor Vietnam’s international commitments, Ms. Thanh should be immediately and unconditionally released. Thank you for listening to Human Rights Digest. If you would like more information regarding these individuals or would like to send letters on their behalf, you can find out more by visiting the Freedom Writers Website at www.amnestyusa.org/freedomwriters.