Bulletin of Violations Monitored by “The Article 55 Coalition Organizations” in Prisons and Detention Centers during the Period from June 1 to June 30, 2023
Article 55 of the Egyptian Constitution states that "Anyone who is arrested, imprisoned, or whose freedom is restricted must be treated in a manner that preserves his dignity, and he may not be tortured, intimidated, coerced, or harmed physically or mentally. Moreover, their detention or imprisonment shall only take place in appropriate places that meet humane and health standards."
Article 55 Coalition Organizations have documented 18 violations inside prisons, reform and rehabilitation centers, and other detention centers, which can be classified as follows:
3 cases of death.
5 cases of medical neglect with detainees in critical condition.
7 distress calls from detainees in multiple prisons and detention centers (due to mistreatment, medical negligence, overcrowding, and exercise prevention).
3 distress calls about several violations and visit ban.
One of the victims of arbitrary detention is Dr. Ahmed Walid El-Sayed El-Shal, who has been sentenced to death and is suffering from a brain spreading tumor, as reported on June 6, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/yprh9922
Journalist Ahmed Sobee has suffered a deterioration in his health while being held at Badr 3 prison due to political issues, reported on June 7, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/2ya77ma7
A distress call was made to rescue Ahmed Orabi from disciplinary measures at Badr Center, reported on June 9, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/y5bav9kb
Mohamed Salah, a student who has been detained for 8 years since the age of 17, completed his sentence, however he was inserted in a re-accusation loop of new charges, reported on June 9, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/mtyw72vm
Detainees at Abo Zaabal prison announced their intention to go on a general strike due to overcrowding in cells and violations against them on June 9, 2023
https://tinyurl.com/466tapy3
Ahmed Nader Abdel Kader Hammad, a victim of arbitrary detention. He is detained since 2016, and suffering from tumors in his foot and body, requiring urgent medical intervention. Reported on June 12, 2023.
Egyptian lawyer and human rights defender Mohamed El-Baqer continues to be held in solitary confinement for over two months, as reported on June 12, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/y3p2pt72
A distress call emerged from Qanater prison due to escalating violations; reported on June 14, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/yckmca6x
Death of the citizen Mostafa Helwah due to an accident in his detention; reported on June 15, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/ymmjm5s8
Deportation of "Huda Abdel Moneim" to the Tenth of Ramadan Prison, while keeping ban of visits. Reported on June 16, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/mrsx9wb5
Dr. Ahmed Tohamyy was transferred to the hospital while being held in detention, on June 17, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/2z77a53r
Deportation of Anas El-Beltagy to the Tenth of Ramadan Prison, amid numerous violations against him; June 17, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/bdkrksht
Complaints are escalating against Momen Ewis, the Chief Investigator of Wadi El-Natrun's prison 430.
https://tinyurl.com/yckep846
Violations have escalated against detainees in Al-Qanater Al-Khayriya Prison during the past weeks, reported on 20th June 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/4zujtnvt
Death of the citizen Saleh Rahim due to torture inside Al-Adwa Police Station, June 21, 2023
https://tinyurl.com/36fpr6z4
Complaints have been rising about the mistreatment of political detainees at Borg El-Arab prison "Imprisoned us to die" on June 21, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/bdhar222
The life of Dr. Ahmed Ramadan is in danger at Borg El-Arab prison, reported on June 25, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/mtrze4br
Death of Human rights lawyer Ali Abbas Barakat at the hospital of Badr prison on June 26, 2023.
https://tinyurl.com/44dusen3
Details of the violations can be reviewed on the media outlets of the Coalition Member Organizations
Based on the above, we find that the conditions inside prisons and detention centers in Egypt are not surprising and fall within the general framework of how Egyptian authorities deal with detainees, especially political detainees. The practices are deliberate and not merely isolated incidents, as claimed by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior.
Furthermore, the policy of impunity adopted by Egyptian authorities towards human rights violators inside detention facilities has encouraged and facilitated such practices, to the extent that they have become the standard operating procedure within the Egyptian prison administration. Despite documented and verified violations, no leadership or official has faced punishment or even reprimand.
Therefore, the Article 55 Coalition asserts that the practices occurring within prisons and detention centers in Egypt raise serious concerns about the fate of detainees, particularly given the increasing number of deaths within these facilities in recent times and the deteriorating living conditions inside prisons and detention centers.
In light of the above, the Article 55 Alliance demands the opening of an investigation into these violations and holding those responsible accountable according to Egyptian and international law, while adhering to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the Egyptian prison regulations, and putting an end to their violation. It is also imperative to provide detainees with living conditions that befit their humanity.
Article 55 Coalition
Justice Committee / El-Shehab for Human Rights / Egyptian Network for Human Rights / Their Right / We Record / Human Rights and Civil Participation / Arab Foundation for Civil and Political Rights / Struggle
#El_Shihab_for_Human_Rights
