More than 800 Syrian detainees in Egypt, including women and children

Prominent Syrian opposition figure Burhan Ghalioun affirmed on Sunday that more than 800 Syrian refugees are currently being held in Egyptian prisons.

Ghalioun wrote on his Facebook page: “According to the UN High Commission for Refugees, the number includes 589 women and 84 children. They are being held under administrative detention.”

He pointed out that none of the detainees have been accused of any charge except trying to illegally leave the country.

According to Ghalioun, Egypt has deported 144 Syrians, including 44 children, to other regional countries.

The total number of Syrian refugees in Egypt, he said, is about 300,000. These refugees did not need visas to enter the country during President Mohamed Morsi’s rule.

Despite the reported rights abuses, during the 64th meeting of the executive committee for the UN High Commission of Refugees held earlier this month, Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Nasser Kamel said that Egypt offers the best living conditions for Syrians in the region.

According to Kamel, Syrian refugees receive the same treatment as Egyptian citizens in regards to educational and health care facilities.