Egypt's prison death trap: 71 detainees have died in custody since January

The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK (AOHR UK) has revealed that an increasing number of Egyptians detainees are dying in police custody after being held in inhumane conditions.

In a statement, the Organisation stressed that the repressive measures adopted by the Egyptian authorities, coupled with widespread human rights abuses such as arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances and holding political opponents without trial for extended periods, has fostered a culture of impunity among members of the security forces. Many detainees have died in custody due to torture and medical neglect after being held for months without being offered necessary treatment in accordance with Egyptian prison regulations.

The Organisation added that three political detainees died on two consecutive days (1 and 2 August 2015) after their health deteriorated. Authorities had denied them medical care and an early release on account of their condition.

Ramadan Abdulaziz Badawi, 46, died on Sunday at the Central Prison of Al-Jabal Al-Gharabi in Sohaj, a year following his arrest. He was taken to Sohaj hospital on Saturday after complaining of diarrhea, vomiting, and fever – symptoms that strongly suggested he was suffering from food poisoning. The medical report did not specify the cause of death. His family confirmed that he was not complaining of any symptoms when they visited him on the previous Friday.

A second detainee, Ahmed Hussein Ghozlan died on Saturday at the prison clinic in Damanhour in Behira Province following the deterioration of his health and the refusal of prison officials to transfer him to hospital. Prison officials refused to allow him to see a doctor or go to hospital, and the only care he got was from other inmates who tried to reduce his fever using cold cloths made out of their own clothes. According to his family, the conditions at the prison were dismal and inhumane, especially the overcrowded cells. They added that Ghozlan had not been allowed to take his blood pressure medicine since he was arrested on 12 March this year.

Ezzat Hussein Mohammed Hussein Al-Salamouni, died on 1 August at Torra Prison of bowel obstruction. Al-Salamouni was taken to hospital on 28 July after suffering intestinal obstruction. Despite spending three days in the Intensive Care Unit, he suffered organ failure and was returned to the detention centre, where he passed away.

It is estimated that more than 262 Egyptians have died in police custody since the military coup of 3 of July, 2013 military, including 71 in this year alone. AOHR UK has stressed that in the majority of cases these are preventable deaths that occurred as a result of medical neglect, mismanagement of detention centres, torture and overcrowded prison conditions.

Rather than launching investigations into such deaths, Egyptian authorities continue to foster a culture of impunity among security forces and continuing to arrest and prosecute of journalists, human rights workers and anyone opposed to the military regime. Administrative detention without charges has become the norm in Egypt.

AOHR UK warned that more prisoners are likely to die if Egyptian authorities do not take effective measures to change its prison policies. It also urged the UN Secretary General, the EU and the African Commission on Human Rights to intervene to secure the release of all political detainees, especially those suffering from serious ailments.