Press release
Geneva – July 23, 2024
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has condemned the detention and enforced disappearance of Sudanese refugee Osman Hussein Yacoub, the director of the “African Vision for Sudanese Education” center in 6th of October City. Authorities have informed his family of plans to forcibly repatriate him to Sudan, despite his refugee status with the UNHCR since 2013, which entitles him to international protection.
Yacoub was arrested on Monday, July 1st, without legal grounds, due to his teaching of the Sudanese curriculum. He was detained at the 6th of October Second Police Station and was not presented to the prosecution. The police station denied his presence until the evening of Sunday, July 7th, when Yacoub contacted his family, emphasizing the need to book a flight ticket to Sudan for his deportation, stating that his presence in Egypt was no longer welcome, without any investigation or referral to the public prosecution.
Yacoub’s family noted that the Sudanese embassy had agreed to issue travel documents for his forced repatriation based on a request from the Egyptian authorities, represented by the Passport and Immigration Authority. His deportation could occur at any moment.
CFJ condemns the forced repatriation of asylum seekers in Egypt and demands that the protection guaranteed by international law and agreements signed by Egypt be upheld. CFJ calls on the Egyptian authorities to cease targeting Sudanese refugees and others from different nationalities and to halt their forced return to their home countries due to fears for their life.
