Amnesty International urged the Egyptian government to stop punitive actions against hunger-striking prisoners at the 10th of Ramadan Prison, who protest their arbitrary detention and inhumane conditions. The organization highlighted severe mistreatment, including denial of sunlight and limited exercise, while political detainees have initiated hunger strikes following ignored requests for oversight. Moreover, human rights defender Hossam Bahgat faces retaliation for addressing these issues, raising significant concerns about human rights in Egypt.
On Thursday, Amnesty International called on the Egyptian government to halt retaliatory measures against hunger-striking prisoners at the 10th of Ramadan Prison. The detainees have initiated this protest to advocate for an end to arbitrary detention and the inhumane conditions they endure inside the facility.
Mahmoud Shalaby, an Egypt researcher with Amnesty International, criticized the authorities for failing to address the poor conditions within the prison, instead opting to punish those protesting these circumstances. Even in modern prisons like the 10th of Ramadan, inmates face mistreatment due to a lack of oversight and accountability from prison authorities.
Amnesty International reports that prisoners are denied sufficient sunlight, contrary to the Mandela Rules, as they are not permitted outdoor exercise daily. Most inmates are confined to their cells for 23 hours and are allowed just one hour of exercise within the building’s corridor.
The hunger strike, initiated in January by several political detainees at the Reform and Rehabilitation Center, arises from prolonged pretrial detention without legal justification and the subpar conditions of their confinement. These detainees had previously petitioned Egypt’s Public Prosecutor to visit and investigate their grievances, but their requests were ignored during court hearings.
Following statements regarding the prison’s deteriorating conditions, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) released a public notice on January 12, 2025. In response, prosecutors launched an investigation against Hossam Bahgat, EIPR’s director, on charges of “spreading false news” and “aiding and funding a terrorist group.” Bahgat faced interrogation for over three hours without clear information about the investigation.
Organizations like Human Rights Watch have called for the dismissal of the terrorism-related charges against Bahgat, reiterating the crucial need to protect human rights defenders in Egypt.
Amnesty International’s appeal to the Egyptian authorities stems from serious concerns over the treatment of hunger-striking prisoners at the 10th of Ramadan Prison. The conditions highlighted point to a broader issue of inadequate oversight and accountability within the prison system. The call for an investigation into the injustices faced by detainees and the intimidation of human rights advocates demonstrates the need for urgent reforms to uphold human rights in Egypt.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
