Amnesty International condemned the Egyptian authorities for punishing detainees at 10th of Ramadan Prison after they staged a hunger strike protesting cruel conditions. The authorities retaliated by transferring some detainees to harsher facilities and confiscating personal belongings. The call for humane treatment and oversight continues amidst claims of torture and inhumane treatment across Egypt’s prisons.
Amnesty International has called for an end to reprisals against detainees at 10th of Ramadan Prison following their hunger strike protesting unethical detention conditions. Initiated in early January, the hunger strike aimed to highlight inhumane conditions and demanded release for those held beyond six months, outdoor exercise, full visitation rights, and removal of the abusive National Security Agency officer in charge.
Following the strike, authorities retaliated by transferring at least three detainees to prisons notorious for severe conditions and confiscating their belongings. Mahmoud Shalaby, an Egypt Researcher at Amnesty International, stated, “Instead of addressing the abysmal detention conditions… authorities are trying to silence prisoners protesting these conditions by punishing them.” He emphasized that abuse persists even in newly built facilities like 10th of Ramadan Prison, which lacks oversight and accountability.
Shalaby urged the Egyptian authorities to improve detention conditions and grant access to international observers. He stressed the need for humane treatment aligned with international standards such as the Nelson Mandela Rules. He also called for independent monitoring of prisons as per longstanding demands by human rights advocates.
The article highlights the urgent need for reforms in Egypt’s detention practices, particularly regarding the treatment of political prisoners. Following a hunger strike at 10th of Ramadan Prison, authorities have retaliated with punitive measures rather than addressing the underlying issues of inhumane conditions. Calls from Amnesty International for humane treatment and oversight underscore the international community’s concern for human rights in Egypt post-revolution.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
