Article 55 Coalition issues monthly bulletin on conditions inside Egyptian detention facilities for December 2024
The organizations participating in the “Article 55” Alliance have issued their monthly bulletin to highlight the most significant human rights, political, and judicial developments in Egypt during December 2024.
The bulletin documented severe violations observed in prisons and detention facilities, including continued security crackdowns, deteriorating trial conditions, and violations of detainees’ rights. These reflect systematic policies that contradict the provisions of the Egyptian Constitution and international human rights standards.
– Developments in Egypt in December 2024:
Throughout the month, Egyptian authorities continued targeting political opponents and activists, with many being referred to criminal trials after extended periods of pretrial detention or being implicated in new cases under the practice of “recycling” charges.
On the legislative front, the House of Representatives proceeded with discussions on the new Criminal Procedures Law, granting preliminary approval on December 17 despite widespread criticism from civil society organizations and the Journalists’ Syndicate.
On December 14, the Ismailia Military Criminal Court issued harsh sentences against 62 civilians from North Sinai in Case No. 80 of 2023. Sentences ranged from three to ten years and included prominent figures such as Sheikh Saber Hamad Al-Sayeh, a key figure of the Al-Rumailat tribe, and his two sons. The court also issued in absentia sentences against seven defendants, including prominent journalists.
– Violations in Prisons and Detention Facilities:
The alliance documented a surge in violations within Egyptian detention facilities in December 2024, recording four deaths due to medical negligence and mistreatment.
The alliance also noted the continued denial of healthcare to human rights lawyer Ibrahim Metwally and the arbitrary transfer of human rights lawyer Akasha Mohamed Abdullah to Wadi Al-Natroun Prison 440, exacerbating the hardship faced by his family in visiting him.
In the New Valley Prison, the alliance documented catastrophic conditions where large numbers of prisoners are held in cramped cells known as “al-Masfaḥa,” in inhumane conditions lacking basic sanitary facilities.
– The Alliance’s Demands:
The “Article 55” Alliance emphasizes that these systematic violations raise serious concerns about the fate of detainees in Egyptian prisons, especially with the increasing number of deaths and the worsening living conditions.
The alliance calls for an urgent and independent investigation into the documented violations, holding those responsible accountable in accordance with Egyptian and international law, and ensuring that Egyptian authorities adhere to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
