Nabil Farfour, a 65-year-old Egyptian political prisoner, has died due to alleged medical negligence, marking the eighth such death within two months. Farfour was arrested after leaving a mosque and was denied access to his medication, leading to health complications. Human rights organizations demand investigations and improved conditions for detainees amid widespread reports of neglect and poor treatment in Egyptian prisons.
An Egyptian political prisoner, Nabil Farfour, aged 65, has died in his prison cell, reportedly due to medical negligence, marking the eighth such death in two months. His passing has been highlighted by human rights organizations, including the Shehab Centre for Human Rights, which reported that Farfour’s health declined significantly while incarcerated. Before his imprisonment, he worked as an agricultural engineer in Beheira and had been sentenced to five years in prison.
Farfour was arrested two months prior to his death, having been apprehended by security forces after attending midday prayers at a mosque. He reportedly requested to have his medication brought to him during his detention, but this request was denied, leading to a deterioration of his health. His condition eventually worsened to the point where he suffered a stroke in prison.
The Shehab Centre characterized the circumstances surrounding Farfour’s death as a form of ‘slow killing’ as a result of intentional medical neglect, and it has called for an independent investigation into his demise. Furthermore, the group has urged for the release of other detainees suffering from health issues.
Farfour represents the third political prisoner to die in Egyptian detention centers since February, amidst a backdrop where rights organizations report over 50 similar deaths last year due to inadequate medical care and adverse prison conditions. Concerns have repeatedly been raised about the substandard treatment and healthcare delays experienced by detainees in Egyptian jails.
Amnesty International asserts that the actions of prison authorities contribute to deaths and significant harm to the health of prisoners. Additionally, the plight of the imprisoned British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd al-Fattah has been brought to wider attention through his mother, Laila Soueif, who was recently hospitalized following a prolonged hunger strike to advocate for his release.
A coalition of 25 advocacy organizations has appealed to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, calling for action to secure Abd al-Fattah’s release. In a broader context, Human Rights Watch has urged Egyptian authorities to disclose comprehensive statistics on detainees amid ongoing crackdowns on dissent.
Lack of transparency in prison population figures hampers civil society’s ability to effectively evaluate the penal system, according to Amr Magdi, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. Human rights organizations have estimated that Egypt continues to detain approximately 60,000 political prisoners since President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi took office.
Nabil Farfour’s death underscores severe humanitarian crises in Egypt’s prison system, particularly relating to medical neglect. With multiple political prisoners succumbing to similar circumstances within two months, rights groups are reinforcing calls for reform and accountability. The continued imprisonment of large numbers of political detainees signifies ongoing human rights challenges that remain unaddressed by Egyptian authorities.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
