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Egypt Human Rights
The scope of Egypt’s human rights crisis expanded, as the authorities arrested opponents, critics, satirists, current and former human rights and labor rights activists, journalists, presidential candidates and sexual harassment survivors.
The authorities used prolonged pre-trial detention to imprison opponents, and restricted and harassed civil society organizations and staff. The authorities used solitary confinement that amounted to torture and other ill-treatment and enforced disappearance against hundreds of people with impunity, and failed to investigate cases of extrajudicial executions.
Civilian and military courts issued mass verdicts after unfair trials and sentenced hundreds of people to death. The authorities prosecuted two women who spoke out against sexual harassment, while discriminating against women in law and practice.
People were arrested on the basis of their real or perceived sexual orientation. The authorities prevented Christians from freely practicing their beliefs and failed to hold to account those responsible for sectarian violence. The armed forces used US-imported banned cluster bombs in an ongoing military operation in Sinai.
Latest Crackdown on Activists
The Egyptian authorities have in the last 48 hours arbitrarily arrested at least eight individuals including a former member of parliament, opposition party leaders, journalists and activists in an escalating crackdown on opposition and civil society in the country. Read More
The latest wave of arrests targeting critics, opposition leaders, activists and journalists under the guise of counterterrorism is part of the Egyptian authorities’ systematic persecution and brutal crackdown on anyone who dares to criticize them. The crackdown leaves no doubt about the authorities’ vision for political life in Egypt; an open-air prison with no opposition, critics or independent reporting allowed.
Relevant Links
Egypt Newsroom
July 31, 2019 • Press Release
Mass Hunger Strike at al-Aqrab Prison Over Denial of Family Visits and Dire Conditions
The Egyptian authorities must immediately end cruel and inhumane detention conditions and allow regular family visits at al-Aqrab maximum security prison in Tora where approximately 130 detainees have gone on a mass hunger strike for more than six weeks, said Amnesty International today. Many of those on strike were arrested more than two years ago and have not been allowed a single visit from their families or lawyers.
July 2, 2019 • Press Release
Egypt: Series of draconian laws ‘legalizes’ unprecedented repression six years since fall of Morsi
The Egyptian authorities are attempting to normalize human rights violations by passing a series of laws to “legalize” their escalating crackdown on freedom of expression, association and assembly, said Amnesty International, six years since recently deceased former President Mohamed Morsi was ousted from power on 3 July 2013.
June 17, 2019 • Press Release
Authorities in Egypt must order immediate investigation into death of former President Mohamed Morsi
Responding to the news of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s death in custody today Magdalena Mughrabi, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “The news of Mohamed Morsi’s death in court today is deeply shocking and raises serious questions about his treatment in custody. The Egyptian authorities must immediately order an impartial, …
February 26, 2019 • Report
Human rights in the Middle East and North Africa: A review of 2018
The international community’s chilling complacency towards wide-scale human rights violations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has emboldened governments to commit appalling violations during 2018 by giving them the sense that they need never fear facing justice, said Amnesty International as it published a review of human rights in the region last year. …
November 28, 2018 • Press Release
Amnesty International launches world’s biggest human rights campaign
Women human rights defenders around the world are facing unprecedented levels of abuse, intimidation and violence, said Amnesty International as it launched its global Write for Rights campaign, in a bid to shine a spotlight on brave women who have been harassed, jailed, tortured or even killed for their human rights work. Women continue to …
May 6, 2018 • Report
Egypt: The use of indefinite solitary confinement against prisoners amounts to torture
“The first time I saw Hisham after his arrest was in hospital. He described his solitary cell to me. He could not see anything in the darkness of the cell. It was hard for him to breathe there was no window or source of air. He said it felt like being buried alive. When the …
February 28, 2018 • Press Release
Egypt: Use of banned cluster bombs in North Sinai confirmed by Amnesty International
Analysis of a Video released by the Egyptian Armed Forces proves beyond doubt that banned cluster munitions have been used in recent airstrikes in North Sinai, Amnesty International said today.
February 14, 2018 • Press Release
Egypt: Cluster bomb video highlights human rights concerns in North Sinai
The Egyptian military’s use of cluster bombs must cease immediately, Amnesty international said today, following the military’s release of an official video showing cluster bombs as part of their recent operations in North Sinai.
November 28, 2017 • Press Release
Egypt: 16 men jailed amidst unprecedented homophobic crackdown
Responding to the news that a Cairo court convicted 16 men of “debauchery” and sentenced them to three years prison followed by three years’ probation, Amnesty International’s Najia Bounaim the North Africa campaigns director said the following.
August 23, 2017 • Press Release
Amnesty International Reacts to U.S. Withholding Military Aid to Egypt
Following the announcement that the U.S. will withhold military aid to Egypt until it addresses human rights concerns, Adotei Akwei, advocacy director at Amnesty International USA, made the following statement.