Rights group warns of rising number of prisons in Egypt

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) yesterday warned of the rapid increase in the number of prisons in Egypt, since the January 25 Revolution in 2011.

The network said in a report that the number of prisons in Egypt has reached 78, nearly half of them – 35 prisons – had been built after 2011 under the rule of coup leader and President, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.

The report noted that the prisons are known for their frequent violations of prisoners’ rights and difficult detention conditions.

According to the report, the prisoners suffer from overcrowding, ill-treatment, and deprivation of the most basic rights.

Despite the lack of transparency from Egyptian authorities about the number of detainees, it is estimated that Egypt is holding some 120,000 inmates.

The network’s Director, Gamal Eid, said: “While the Ministry of Interior, through the Prisons Department, provides care, entertainment, and services to those accused of belonging to the former regime or accused of financial and corruption cases, political prisoners who oppose or criticize are subjected to abuse, repression, and deprivation of the rights guaranteed to them by the constitution and the law, such as visitation, receiving food, the right to a telephone call or health care, and are even being denied attendance at the renewal of their imprisonment sessions.”

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