Amnesty International has called on Egyptian authorities to halt reprisals against detainees on hunger strike at the 10th of Ramadan Prison, who are protesting their arbitrary detention and harsh prison conditions. The hunger strike, initiated in January by several political prisoners at the Reform and Rehabilitation Center, highlights concerns over prolonged pretrial detention and inhumane conditions.
Mahmoud Shalaby, Egypt researcher at Amnesty International, condemned the authorities’ response, stating: “Instead of addressing the deplorable detention conditions, the authorities are punishing prisoners protesting these conditions.” Shalaby noted that even in modern, state-of-the-art prisons like the 10th of Ramadan, prisoners suffer from mistreatment and lack adequate oversight.
Amnesty reports that detainees are denied basic rights, including daily outdoor exercise as required by international standards such as the Mandela Rules. Inmates are confined to their cells for 23 hours a day, with only one hour permitted in a corridor. These conditions, coupled with arbitrary detention, have led to the hunger strike.
The prisoners’ calls for an inspection by Egypt’s Public Prosecutor were ignored, leaving their grievances unresolved. In January, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) also raised concerns about the prison’s conditions, prompting an investigation into EIPR executive director Hossam Bahgat. Bahgat faces charges related to spreading false information and supporting a terrorist group, charges Human Rights Watch has called to be dropped.
Amnesty’s statement underscores the need for Egyptian authorities to respect the rights of prisoners and human rights defenders, urging the government to address the mistreatment and halt the crackdown on those advocating for justice.
