The Article 55 coalition has released its monthly bulletin for July 2024, in which it documented the latest updates on the human rights, political, and legal situation in Egypt, focusing on the major violations suffered by detainees within the detention centers and prisons.
Widespread Arrest Campaign:
The report highlighted the intensified repression of civil society in July, which began with a campaign of arrests targeting at least 70 citizens over three days. These arrests followed calls for demonstrations on July 12, known as “Dignity Friday”. The detainees were detained pending investigations in case No. 3434 of 2024, facing the usual terrorism-related charges. Journalists were also among those arrested, including Khaled Mamdouh, Ashraf Omar (who is also a translator), and BBC journalist Sally Nabil, who was later released on bail set at 10,000 EGP.
Publishing House Raid:
A security force also raided the headquarters of Al-Maraya Publishing and Distribution and arrested the administrative assistant present at the time. The Public Prosecution later decided to release him. Two reports were filed against the publishing house: one for tax evasion and another for publishing books without obtaining tax numbers or contracts with authors.
Additionally, the administrations of the 10th of Ramadan Prisons 4 and 6, where Ahmed Tantawi and members of his campaign are detained, refused to allow their defense teams to obtain the necessary authorizations within the stipulated time for filing appeals, making the judgment final for 21 defendants. Furthermore, the First Chamber of the Criminal Court issued death sentences by hanging for 9 defendants and prison sentences ranging from 15 to 3 years for the remaining defendants.
9 Deaths in Detention Centers:
Regarding violations within detention centers and prisons, the coalition organizations documented nine deaths during July. The detainees at the Badr 1 Reform and Rehabilitation Center continued their strike by refusing meals, demanding the formation of a committee to review their cases and detention—especially for those held beyond the legal period. This request was denied, and the detainees continued their strike.
At the Zagazig Police Station, the coalition organizations documented severe violations committed by one of the officers, Detective Officer Hani Mansour, with the assistance of informant Mohamed El-Saeedi and a security guard named Gamal, against female detainees. The allegations, based on a former detainee’s testimony and an eyewitness account, included physical and verbal harassment and strip searches conducted by the aforementioned individuals against the female prisoners.
The coalition also documented the transfer of journalist Mohamed Atiya, known as Mohamed Al-Shaer, to the notorious New Valley Prison, which is far from his family’s residence. This transfer coincided with his continued pre-trial detention for five years in case No. 1480 of 2019.
Demands of the coalition:
In light of all the aforementioned, the Article 55 coalition believes that the conditions inside prisons and detention facilities are not surprising and fall within the general framework of how Egyptian authorities handle the detainee files—especially the political ones—as the matter is systematic and not just individual violations as promoted by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior.
The policy of impunity practiced by the Egyptian authorities towards human rights violators within their detention facilities has encouraged, fueled, and spread these practices until they have become a method of action for the Egyptian Prisons Authority; thus, no leadership or officials have been punished or even reprimanded despite documented and significant violations.
Therefore, the coalition affirms that these practices within prisons and detention facilities in Egypt raise serious concerns about the fate of detainees, especially following the recent increase in the number of deaths within detention facilities and the deterioration of living conditions inside.
Thus, the organizations call for an investigation into these violations and to hold those responsible accountable according to the correct Egyptian and international law. They also demand the implementation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the Egyptian prison regulations, ensuring their adherence, and providing prison conditions that respect the dignity of detainees.
