Egypt’s treatment of refugees, migrants, forcibly displaced people, and asylum seekers has increasingly come under international scrutiny. As Egypt approaches its next Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights, questions regarding its adherence to both national and international legal obligations have become particularly pressing. Through the lens of the Refugee Platform in Egypt (RPE), significant concerns have surfaced regarding the actions of Egyptian security agencies, which appear to be systematically targeting refugees of African nationalities. These actions, including arrests, detentions, and forced deportations, raise profound questions about Egypt’s commitment to human rights.
Systematic Human Rights Violations
The Egyptian authorities’ blatant disregard for basic human rights laws is a recurring theme in reports on the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. This disregard is most evident in the unlawful detention and forcible deportation of refugees, particularly those from African nations. Such actions are in direct contravention of both domestic and international legal standards. Despite receiving numerous warnings and condemnations from human rights organizations, the Egyptian government has persisted in these practices, painting a disturbing picture of its human rights record.
A troubling pattern has emerged, where individuals are targeted based on their ethnicity and skin color. This trend predominantly affects Sudanese citizens and expatriates, who already face significant challenges due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. These arrests frequently occur in public spaces such as bus and train stations. Detainees are often stripped of their ability to communicate with their families or lawyers, adding another layer of vulnerability to an already at-risk population. The systemic nature of these law enforcement practices presents a grave concern for human rights advocates, highlighting the urgent need for reform.
Increase in Arrests and Detentions
Since December of the previous year, there has been a sharp and alarming increase in the number of arrests and detentions of refugees in Egypt. Those affected are predominantly from Sudan, Eritrea, and Syria. Specific incidents that illustrate this disturbing trend include the detention of groups in Alexandria, Matrouh, Aswan, and Greater Cairo. A notable number of detainees were individuals who were en route to attend registration interviews with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), suggesting that their arrests were an attempt to thwart their official efforts to seek asylum.
The procedural injustices faced by detainees post-arrest are equally concerning. Many are brought before the Public Prosecution on charges related to illegal presence in Egypt or having expired legal documents. Even when there is insufficient evidence for prosecution and the judiciary orders their release, detainees often face further inquiries from various security agencies. This prolonged process frequently culminates in deportation orders. Detainees are coerced into obtaining emergency travel documents from their respective embassies under duress, a process that often leads to forced deportation through land or air, depending on their nationality and circumstances. Such procedures not only violate international human rights standards but also underscore the need for robust legal protections for refugees.
Mass Arrest Incidents
Two significant mass arrest incidents further underscore the severity of the situation facing refugees in Egypt. The first occurred in Kom Ombo, where individuals, including families, were arrested near the city and at the train station. Many of those detained were either headed to UNHCR interviews or were students. They were transported under harsh conditions for eventual deportation. The second incident in Aswan followed a similar pattern, with numerous Sudanese citizens and expatriates, including registered refugees and those with future registration appointments, detained in deplorable conditions.
In addition to these incidents, systematic arrests have been reported in Greater Cairo, impacting districts such as Faisal, Al-Haram, Ard al-Liwa, Imbaba, Dokki, and Downtown. The individuals detained in these areas, primarily Sudanese and Eritrean citizens, were pressured into signing documents that facilitated their deportation. Particularly notable was the case of an elderly Sudanese woman returning from Saudi Arabia who was detained at Cairo airport and informed of a deportation order against her. This exemplifies the indiscriminate nature of these operations, which do not spare even the most vulnerable members of society.
Detention Conditions and Deportations
In April 2024, investigative reports revealed that Egyptian military bases were being repurposed as detention centers for forcibly displaced Sudanese individuals. The conditions within these detention centers were reported to be inhumane, a clear violation of international conventions. These facilities are not just detention centers; they are sites of systemic abuse within the Egyptian asylum process, further highlighting the urgent need for reform.
These reports come at a critical time as Egypt prepares for the Universal Periodic Review of its human rights record. The Refugee Platform in Egypt, in collaboration with The New Humanitarian, has demanded that Egypt cease these violations. Despite the Egyptian government’s denial of the existence of these detention facilities and its claims of adherence to human rights obligations, the documented evidence starkly contradicts its official stance. The new asylum law in Egypt has also come under criticism for failing to align with international standards, emphasizing the need for genuine legal protections and reforms to uphold the rights of refugees.
Recommendations for Reform
Egypt’s treatment of refugees, migrants, forcibly displaced individuals, and asylum seekers has increasingly come under international examination. As Egypt gears up for its next Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights, the focus on its adherence to both national and international legal obligations has intensified.
Concerns are especially apparent through the perspective of the Refugee Platform in Egypt (RPE), which has highlighted troubling practices by Egyptian security agencies. There are growing reports of these agencies systematically targeting refugees of African nationalities, resulting in arrests, detentions, and forced deportations. These actions have raised serious questions about Egypt’s genuine commitment to human rights and its responsibilities under international law.
The international community is watching closely, and there are rising demands for a transparent investigation into these allegations. Observers are urging Egypt to align its practices with the human rights standards it professes to uphold. The systematic targeting of African refugees not only violates their fundamental rights but also tarnishes Egypt’s reputation on the global stage. As the review approaches, Egypt will need to demonstrate that it respects and protects the rights of all individuals within its borders, regardless of their nationality.