Amnesty International urges Egyptian authorities to end reprisals against 10th of Ramadan Prison detainees who protested poor conditions through a hunger strike. Following their protest, several were transferred to harsher prisons as punishment. Calls for improved conditions and access for international observers have been intensified amid a history of abuses against political prisoners.
Amnesty International has called on Egyptian authorities to cease reprisals against detainees at 10th of Ramadan Prison following a hunger strike protesting inhumane conditions. Initiated in early January, the hunger strike aimed to address concerns about arbitrary detention, the prolonged pretrial status of inmates, limited outdoor access, and the removal of an abusive National Security Agency official.
In retaliation, officials transferred several detainees to harsher facilities after confiscating their belongings. “Instead of addressing the abysmal detention conditions in the 10th of Ramadan Prison, the authorities are trying to silence prisoners protesting these conditions by punishing them,” stated Mahmoud Shalaby, Egypt Researcher at Amnesty International. He emphasized the need for an improvement in detainee conditions and full access for international observers.
Shalaby noted that conditions must comply with international standards, referencing the Nelson Mandela Rules. Families of transferred detainees reported relocations to distant prisons, a punitive tactic known as “Taghriba” (internal exile). A relative also shared that a detainee was moved to another facility, ostensibly as punishment for seeking medical assistance.
Notably, 10th of Ramadan Prison was inaugurated in 2023, amid government assertions of enhanced detention conditions. However, systemic abuses continue, particularly against political dissenters, following President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s 2013 coup against Mohamed Morsi. Reports also indicate that the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights has faced investigations for highlighting these issues, demonstrating ongoing state repression.
Amnesty has previously documented torture and other degrading treatments in Egyptian prisons, asserting that health care is often denied as part of the punitive measures against political prisoners, further exacerbating their plight.
This article underscores the concerning conditions faced by detainees in Egyptian prisons, particularly in the context of recent protests against their treatment. The punitive actions taken against inmates following their hunger strike highlight the need for systemic reforms and adherence to international detention standards. Advocacy by organizations such as Amnesty International is crucial in calling for humane treatment and oversight of prisons in Egypt, along with accountability for abuses that continue unchecked.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
