Systematic arrest, arbitrary detention, and forcible return campaigns are being conducted nationwide by the Egyptian authorities against the Sudanese refugees and migrant.
Altaghyeer: Agencies
Some 27 Sudanese and international human rights organizations expressed concerns over serious abuses committed by the Egyptian authorities against Sudanese seeking refuge in Egypt.
The organizations said in a joint statement that after issuing Decree No. 3326 of 2023, end of August 2023, the Egyptian authorities have arrested and detained Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers in inhumane conditions, subjected them to unfair trials, and forcibly returned them to Sudan.
Hundreds of thousands Sudanese have fled to the neighbouring countries including Eygpt after eruption of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023.
Cairo has welcomed the arrivals at the beginning but on August 29, 2023, the Egyptian government issued Decree No. 3326 of 2023, which ordered the migrants to pay $1,000 and late fines to legalize their stay in Egypt.
“Immediately afterwards, the Refugees Platform in Egypt (RPE), the Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in MENA, and other human rights groups have been receiving and documenting hundreds of reports of systematic arrest of refugees and migrants, arbitrary detention, and forcible return campaigns carried out by the Egyptian authorities against Sudanese”, said the statement.
The Egyptian authorities are conducting these arrests nationwide, inside cities like Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Alexandria and along Egypt’s southern border, the organizations said
The organizations explained in the statement that the type of violations to which detainees are subjected vary according to the geographical area where the arrests occurred. “In Cairo, Giza, and Alexandria, the testimonies of victims of these abuses show a clear pattern of authorities targeting Black people for arbitrary arrests in raids on residential areas of African nationalities and arbitrary arrests in the streets, bus stops, and metro stations.”
While detained, they are denied access to their families, advocates, and the UNHCR, the organizations said, explaining that the detainees live in inhumane conditions in detention centers, denied visits and access to health care
