The organizations of the “Article 55” Coalition issued their monthly bulletin highlighting key human rights, legal, and judicial developments in Egypt during June 2025, along with a detailed monitoring of violations occurring inside prisons and detention centers under Egyptian security authorities.
– Human Rights, Economic, and Political Situation in June:
Egypt experienced profound political, economic, and social developments in June 2025. Israel launched airstrikes against Iran, prompting Iranian retaliatory missile attacks on Tel Aviv. These events raised serious concerns regarding the impact of war on the Egyptian economy, particularly amid the ongoing blockade on Gaza and shortages of essential goods. In this context, the government introduced a new draft law on old rent agreements, which triggered widespread public opposition. A lawyer was arrested for establishing an association representing tenants under old rental agreements.
Security crackdowns against human rights defenders continued, as State Security Prosecution referred several cases to courts, increasing the number of detainees. Meanwhile, professional protests escalated: the Lawyers’ Syndicate held a strike protesting increased court fees, while the Journalists’ Syndicate launched a campaign to amend laws restricting media freedoms. Legally, political parties began preparing for elections following parliamentary approval of new legal amendments that reinforce the dominance of state-aligned parties.
The Minister of Industry and Transport faced severe criticism over the dismissal of a senior official and road accidents that resulted in 19 deaths. The minister attributed the accidents to driver negligence without addressing road quality issues. On the human rights front, international activists were arrested and prevented from participating in a protest march breaking the Gaza blockade, and students expressing solidarity with Gaza were detained.
– Violations Inside Detention Facilities:
The “Article 55” Coalition documented several serious violations within Egyptian prisons and detention centers during June 2025. Among these violations were two recorded deaths due to medical neglect. The first victim, Abdel Aziz Abdel Ghani, aged 62, died after suffering acute intestinal blockage; authorities delayed necessary surgery despite doctors warning about his critical condition.
The second victim, Gamal Ahmed Sawi, aged 70, died inside Al-Minya Central Prison due to deteriorating health conditions and denial of medical care. Despite repeated pleas from his family, he was denied appropriate treatment, leading to his death after serving more than two-thirds of his sentence.
In another case, Ahmed El-Dosoky, aged 37, began an open-ended hunger strike protesting authorities’ disregard for his deteriorating health condition. He had been subjected to enforced disappearance and systematic torture before being sentenced to life imprisonment on fabricated charges. He now suffers severe pain but insists on continuing his strike until receiving proper treatment.
Organizations also reported the deteriorating health of Mr. Suleiman, who completely lost his vision inside Badr Prison. Despite medical recommendations for compassionate release, the National Security Agency obstructed it, intensifying his family’s distress and their efforts to secure necessary care.
A family from Alexandria arrested in May 2024 faces harsh detention conditions, held without legal justification. They suffer from inadequate healthcare, with some members experiencing serious health problems, yet prison administration refuses to respond to their requests.
At El-Wadi El-Gadid (The New Valley) Prison, known as one of Egypt’s most isolated and brutal detention facilities, prisoners endure severe and systematic violations. In a leaked letter, detainees reported grave abuses including daily torture and inhumane detention conditions. The prison has become known as “the graveyard” due to the harsh living conditions, with detainees held in overcrowded cells lacking ventilation and basic facilities. As a result, they have launched an open-ended hunger strike demanding an end to torture and improved detention conditions.
The “Article 55” Coalition asserts that conditions inside Egyptian prisons and detention centers are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic policy by Egyptian authorities toward detainees, particularly political prisoners. These violations occur alongside impunity, encouraging continuation of such practices without accountability for responsible officials.
These circumstances raise serious concerns about the fate of detainees, especially given the increasing number of deaths inside prisons and deteriorating living conditions. Therefore, the organizations call for independent legal investigations to hold perpetrators accountable, ensure compliance with national and international laws, and improve detention conditions in line with humanitarian standards.
