Living Archive · Write-a-letter · End family targeting · transnational repression

Speak up for Mohamed Mahmoud Ebrahim Shahin.

This letter is tailored to Mohamed Mahmoud Ebrahim Shahin's case archetype — end family targeting · transnational repression. The opening, framing, and demands change with the situation (a defender in exile, a killed defender, a defender on a watchlist, and a defender in pretrial detention require different asks). Edit as needed, then send from your personal address.

Editable draft · letter to authorities

Your Excellency,

I am writing to express grave concern about the campaign of reprisals targeting the family of human rights defender Mohamed Mahmoud Ebrahim Shahin, Imam and interfaith dialogue advocate in Turin's Islamic community.. Punishing relatives for the peaceful work of a defender is collective punishment and a violation of international law.

Italy is proceeding with the forced return of Shahin to Egypt despite his family members having been previously prosecuted there for political views, and despite his designation as a security threat—a designation that signals to Egyptian authorities that he is a person of interest and heightens his risk of arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearance upon return.

I respectfully urge your authorities to:
  1. Immediately end all harassment, summons, surveillance, and threats against the family of Mohamed Mahmoud Ebrahim Shahin in Egypt;
  2. Cease the use of family members as leverage to pressure Mohamed Mahmoud Ebrahim Shahin into silence;
  3. Drop any fabricated charges against family members and unblock their travel, financial, and professional rights;
  4. Comply with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which explicitly prohibits reprisals against the families of defenders.
  5. Immediately end all transnational targeting of Mohamed Mahmoud Ebrahim Shahin, including surveillance, defamation campaigns, Interpol misuse, and consular harassment;
  6. Withdraw any in-absentia convictions or politically motivated charges tied to peaceful human rights work;
  7. Comply with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and OHCHR guidance on transnational repression.
  8. Immediately lift the travel ban imposed on Mohamed Mahmoud Ebrahim Shahin and on any family members affected by the same order;
  9. Restore valid travel documents and remove any border-watch flags placed in connection with peaceful human rights work;
  10. Comply with the ICCPR Article 12 guarantee of freedom of movement.

I will continue to monitor the welfare of Mohamed Mahmoud Ebrahim Shahin's family in Egypt and will publicly raise concerns at every level until the reprisals stop.

Respectfully,

[Your name]
[Your city, country]
6 June 2026

Suggested recipients

Egyptian Embassy (London) United Kingdom eg.emb.london@mfa.gov.eg
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders United Nations · OHCHR defenders@ohchr.org
UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention United Nations · OHCHR wgad@ohchr.org
EU EEAS Human Rights Division European Union eeas-human-rights@eeas.europa.eu

What to do next

1. Edit the letter to add your specific concerns.
2. Copy, then email it directly from your personal address.
3. CC editorial@humena.org so we can log advocacy volume.

A personal email from a constituent often matters more than a coalition statement.