Amnesty: Human rights crisis in Egypt continues

Egyptians are still suffering tough anti-human rights measures in Egypt, Amnesty International has reported.

Days before the German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit, Mohamed Ahmed, an expert at the organisation, said in a press statement that “Egypt is currently facing a severe human rights crisis that can never be compared to the situation during Mubarak’s rule,” referring to former dictator Hosni Mubarak who was toppled after a popular revolt in 2011.

Ahmed stressed that the intervention of the international community was the “only way” to influence the Egyptian government to halt their crackdown on human rights. He expressed hope that Merkel’s visit would cover various topics on the abuse and torture that are being carried out against Egyptians in general, and against human rights defenders in particular.

According to human rights organisations, more than 1,400 individuals are currently held in prisons without having been placed on trial.

Read: 66 corruption cases in Egypt in January

The human rights expert added that Amnesty documented many torture cases where detainees face beatings and ill-treatment upon arrest by the security forces. He further explained that the torture methods also included electric shocks, being forced to adopt stress positions and inadequate access to medical care.

As part of the authorities’ anti-human rights moves, the Egyptian government recently closed the El-Nadeem Centre, which used to provide support and assistance for victims of violence and torture.

In his remarks, Ahmed demanded the international community “to stop the arms supply to Egypt.”

Last year, Egypt signed a 400 million euro military contract with Germany to supply Egypt with highly advanced weapons.

The German Chancellor arrived yesterday to Cairo, for talks on stemming the influx of refugees and migrants into Europe from North Africa. Last Friday, a German spokesman said that Merkel planned to hold talks in Cairo on migration policy and the situation in Libya.