The organizations participating in the “Article 55” Coalition have released their report detailing the main developments in Egypt’s human rights, political, and judicial landscape, highlighting key human rights violations inside prisons and detention centers during August 2024.
– Key updates of the month:
The report notes that despite the ongoing arbitrary detention of numerous activists and journalists, Egypt has continued with the second round of the National Dialogue sessions. These sessions addressed the issue of pretrial detention, resulting in recommendations submitted to the president. In response, the president issued a statement calling for a reduction in the maximum duration of pretrial detention, emphasizing that it should remain a preventive measure necessary for investigation without becoming a form of punishment.
However, in practice, the coalition reported the arrest of 10 workers from the “Samanoud Weaving Company”—including four female workers—following a partial strike that escalated into a sit-in. The workers were subjected to enforced disappearance at the National Security headquarters in El-Mahalla El-Kubra before being brought before the East Tanta Public Prosecutor’s Office.
In terms of judicial updates, Alexandria’s Criminal Court sentenced one individual to life imprisonment and two others to five years in prison in a case related to protests and violence near “Sidi Barrani” in Matrouh, after the death of Farhat Al-Mahfouzine, who was killed by a police officer. The officer had been acquitted by the court in July 2024.
– Violations in prisons and detention centers:
During August, the coalition documented four deaths inside various detention centers. Additionally, preacher Mahmoud Shaaban announced a hunger strike to protest being implicated in a new case (No. 595 of 2021) by the Supreme State Security Prosecution.
Furthermore, political prisoner Mohamed Adel escalated his protest by fully refusing prison food on August 18, objecting to the extension of his detention and the restrictions imposed on him inside the prison. Student Mudathir Mohamed Abdel-Hamid, who has been detained for 11 months following pro-Palestine demonstrations, also declared a hunger strike on Sunday, August 29, in protest of his continued arbitrary detention under harsh conditions.
The coalition also reported distress calls from political detainees in New Valley and Wadi El-Natrun prisons, indicating severe mistreatment and harsh detention conditions. Additionally, the administration of the Tenth of Ramadan Women’s Prison renewed its ban on visits to lawyer and human rights activist Huda Abdel-Moneim.
– Calls to end violations:
In light of the aforementioned violations, the “Article 55” Coalition asserts that the conditions inside prisons and detention centers align with the broader pattern of how Egyptian authorities handle detainees, especially political ones. These practices are systematic, contrary to the Ministry of Interior’s claims that they are isolated incidents.
The coalition emphasizes the serious concerns regarding the fate of detainees, especially given the recent increase in deaths inside detention centers and the worsening living conditions. The “Article 55” Coalition calls for an investigation into these violations and for those responsible to be held accountable under Egyptian and international law. They also demand the full implementation of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and Egypt’s prison regulations, ensuring detainees are treated with the dignity they deserve as human beings.
