Refugees International has raised alarms over the worsening conditions faced by Sudanese refugees in Egypt, urging immediate international intervention. The concern follows the passage of Egypt’s controversial new asylum law in December 2024, which has escalated the risks of deportations, restricted access to services, and legal uncertainty for Sudanese refugees.
The law, which includes ambiguous national security provisions, allows authorities to revoke refugee status and criminalize those deemed to have entered the country illegally. Human rights organizations, including Refugees International, have criticized the law’s passage without consultation with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or civil society groups, further weakening protections for asylum seekers.
The report highlights numerous challenges faced by Sudanese refugees, such as being denied healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. Schools catering to Sudanese children have been closed, hospitals often refuse treatment, and work permit requirements remain nearly impossible to meet. Refugee-led organizations, critical in providing assistance, are also facing increased restrictions under the new law.
Amnesty International’s report has documented arbitrary detentions and forced returns of Sudanese refugees, with at least 800 deportations occurring between January and March 2024 alone. Egypt’s actions contravene the 1951 Refugee Convention, which prohibits returning refugees to countries where they face persecution.
The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing violence in Sudan, with leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) failing to reach ceasefire agreements. Mass atrocities, including ethnic killings, continue to escalate in Sudan’s conflict zones.
Refugees International calls for urgent international action, urging donor nations to press Egypt to revise its asylum policies. Their recommendations include halting deportations, reopening community schools, and granting Sudanese asylum seekers work permits. The report also urges UNHCR to take a stronger stance against Egypt’s restrictive policies and monitor the treatment of Sudanese refugees in detention.
The growing concerns reflect a broader crisis, with Egypt’s asylum law potentially setting a dangerous precedent for international refugee protection standards.
