Human rights organizations have decried the inhumane conditions present in detention facilities across Egypt, citing torture and abuse (including sexual abuse); lack of access to necessary medicine, treatment, or care; inadequate facilities that do not allow proper light or air circulation; and extreme overcrowding. These conditions exacerbate detainees’ medical conditions and led to the deaths of at least 100 individuals in 2020.
This situation is particularly appalling given the extreme degradation in the rule of law in Egypt and the overwhelming number of cases of arbitrary detention or violations of due process. In March 2020, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the release of prisoners who were detained arbitrarily, particularly those held in pretrial detention or with politically motivated allegations, as well as those at high risk for COVID-19.
I also recognize the unique role of the United States in exerting influence for a positive outcome in this situation due to the robust military, economic, and political support that the US extends to Egypt as an ally. Thus, I am appealing to you directly to intervene for the sake of those in dire need, and I am asking you to urge the following with your Egyptian counterparts:
- Address overcrowding in prisons by releasing the high numbers of prisoners held unjustly in pretrial detention, on politically motivated allegations, or who are at grave risk of contracting COVID-19, in line with standards recommended by international bodies; and
- Call for immediate investigation into prison conditions, with oversight from international bodies, including allowing access to representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The following lists ten urgent cases experiencing medical negligence in detention facilities:
- Hoda Abdelmoneim
- Hussein Mahdy Hassan
- Ziad el Eleimy
- Ola Al Qaradawi
- Ahmed Al Waleed
- Hisham Abdelaziz
- Aisha al-Shater
- Gehad El-Haddad
- Hoda Abdelhamid
- Mohamed Zaki Abdelhamid
Thank you for your urgent attention to these issues.
Sincerely,