Amnesty International has called on Egyptian authorities to stop retaliatory measures against prisoners on hunger strike at the 10th of Ramadan Prison, who are protesting their detention conditions. Mahmoud Shalaby criticized the response of authorities to inmate protests, and the organization has highlighted severe restrictions faced by prisoners. Additionally, human rights defender Hossam Bahgat is under investigation for supporting EIPR’s statement regarding prison conditions.
Amnesty International has urged Egyptian authorities to halt retaliatory actions against prisoners currently on hunger strike at the 10th of Ramadan Prison. These detainees are protesting their arbitrary detention and calling attention to the harsh conditions they endure while imprisoned.
Mahmoud Shalaby, an Egypt Researcher at Amnesty International, remarked that instead of addressing the dire conditions, authorities are punishing those protesting. He pointed out that, despite the prison’s modern facilities, inmates still face severe mistreatment without adequate oversight.
The organization reports that inmates are deprived of sunlight as they receive minimal outdoor exercise, contrary to the Mandela Rules that mandate daily sunlight exposure. Prisoners remain confined to their cells for 23 hours daily, with restricted access to a corridor for only one hour of exercise.
Initiated in January, the hunger strike led by political detainees at the Reform and Rehabilitation Center is in response to prolonged pretrial detention without legal grounds and poor living conditions. These detainees had requested a visit from Egypt’s Public Prosecutor to address their grievances; however, their pleas were ignored by the Supreme State Security Prosecution and the Cairo Criminal Court.
In light of the deteriorating conditions, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) released a statement addressing the issues. Following this, prominent human rights defender Hossam Bahgat faced an investigation on January 19, 2025, for “spreading false news” and “aiding and funding a terrorist group,” which Human Rights Watch has condemned as an attack on human rights defenders.
In conclusion, the call from Amnesty International for Egyptian authorities to cease reprisals against hunger-striking prisoners highlights significant human rights concerns within the 10th of Ramadan Prison. The deplorable conditions of detention, including severe restrictions on exercise and lack of sunlight, warrant urgent attention. The ongoing persecution of human rights defenders, such as Hossam Bahgat, underlines the broader implications for civil liberties in Egypt.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
