Summary of the Amnesty International Report on Egypt‘s Treatment of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
This report details a recent crackdown by Egyptian authorities on refugees and asylum seekers, leading to arbitrary arrests, detention, and forced deportations, even in cases where legal release orders have been issued. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:
Key Concerns:
* Arbitrary Arrest & Detention: Refugees and asylum seekers are being detained despite prosecutors ordering their release pending investigation. There’s a lack of judicial review to challenge the legality of this detention.
* Forced Deportations/Refoulement: Individuals are being deported, including to Syria, without proper assessment of the risks they face upon return – violating the principle of non-refoulement. Families are being pressured to pay for deportation tickets.
* Lack of Due Process: Some detainees are not even being brought before prosecutors, and the justification for detention frequently enough relies on vague ”national security” concerns.
* Impact on Basic Rights: The crackdown is severely impacting refugees’ access to education and livelihoods. Families are pulling children from school and limiting work due to fear of arrest.
* Difficulty Renewing Permits: Renewing residence permits is becoming nearly impossible due to long wait times and limited access to UNHCR (the agency handling appointments on behalf of Egyptian authorities). Appointments are being scheduled years in the future.
* Humanitarian Crisis: Families are being pushed into desperate situations, with some resorting to begging after losing their primary income earners to detention.
Specific Examples:
* Ahmed (Syrian): Deported despite a prosecutor’s order for his release.
* 19 Cases: Refugees/asylum seekers held despite release orders, with no further judicial review.
* Amina (Sudanese): Forced to beg after her son, a UNHCR-registered asylum seeker, was detained for lacking a valid permit.
* Ahmed (Sudanese Teacher): Reduced his work to minimize travel due to an expired permit and a renewal appointment in 2028.
call to Action:
The report urges the European Union, as a key partner and donor to UNHCR, to pressure the Egyptian government to:
* Protect the rights of refugees and migrants.
* Ensure UNHCR has unimpeded access to detention centers.
* Allow refugees and asylum seekers to make their international protection claims.
In essence, the report paints a picture of a deteriorating situation for refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt, characterized by increasing repression and a disregard for international legal obligations.