Egypt accused of unlawful deportation of Sudanese asylum seekers
Egypt accused of unlawful deportation of Sudanese asylum seekers
Human Rights Watch calls for end to 'unconscionable' practices
Amnesty International on Wednesday released a report accusing Egyptian authorities of unlawfully rounding up and deporting Sudanese asylum seekers, including some arrested in hospitals and on the streets.
The report, titled “Handcuffed like dangerous criminals: Arbitrary detention and forced returns of Sudanese refugees in Egypt”, condemns the practice as a flagrant violation of international law. Amnesty estimates that at least 800 Sudanese detainees were forcibly returned between January and March 2024 alone.
“It is unconscionable that Sudanese fleeing a brutal conflict are being detained in appalling conditions and deported back to the very dangers they escaped," said Sara Hashash, Amnesty's deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating war since April 2023, pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The United Nations estimates that tens of thousands have been killed and over ten million people have been displaced internally and to neighboring countries.
The conflict triggered a mass exodus, with around two million people fleeing across Sudan's borders, including an estimated 500,000 seeking refuge in neighboring Egypt. Amnesty believes the true number of Sudanese in Egypt is likely higher due to many entering irregularly after Cairo imposed entry visas on all Sudanese in June 2023. Prior to this, specific categories like children, women, and older adults were exempt.
Amnesty's report details the harrowing experiences of Sudanese refugees in Egypt. Some recounted being apprehended in hospitals and on the streets, fostering a climate of fear that discourages them from leaving their homes.
Those detained are allegedly held in deplorable conditions, with some facilities described as informal and overcrowded, lacking basic sanitation and proper food. The report cites a "horse stable" within a military complex as one such example. Access to adequate healthcare within these facilities is also said to be severely limited.
The report further criticizes the European Union (EU) for potentially aiding human rights violations through its financial support for Egypt. In March 2024, the EU announced a 7.4-billion-euro ($8 billion) package for Cairo, with 80 million euros earmarked for curbing illegal migration to Europe.
“Without robust human rights safeguards in its cooperation with Egypt on migration, the EU risks complicity in Egypt's abuses,” warned Hashash.
Egypt maintains that refugees and asylum seekers are free to work and travel within the country, and therefore does not authorize the establishment of official refugee camps by the UN or other aid organizations.
Amnesty International urges the Egyptian government to cease the deportations and adhere to international refugee law. Additionally, the rights group calls on the EU to condition its financial assistance to Egypt on demonstrably improving its human rights record. It said:
“By cooperating with Egypt in the migration field without rigorous human rights safeguards, the EU risks complicity in Egypt’s human rights violations. The EU must press Egyptian authorities to protect refugees and migrants and halt or suspend cooperation immediately if there are risks or reports of abuses.”
SLA-Minawi detains Sudan TV journalist in El Fasher
Sudanese journalist Ahmed Jamam, formerly employed by Sudan TV, has been detained by the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) faction led by Minni Arko Minnawi in El Fasher, North Darfur, according to rights groups and family sources. Jamam's arrest, which reportedly occurred on June 7, 2024, has raised concerns about press freedom in the war-torn region.
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate (SJS) issued a strong condemnation of the detention, calling for Jamam's immediate and unconditional release. The statement held the SLA-Minnawi forces accountable for Jamam's safety and well-being, saying:
“The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate strongly condemns the arrest of journalist Ahmed Jamam, holds Minnawi’s forces responsible for his security and safety, and demands his immediate and unconditional release. The union warns the parties to the armed conflict in Sudan and the forces allied with them of the dangers of continuing to violate the rights of male and female journalists and using arrest as a means to silence and intimidate them.”
Jamam reportedly relocated to El Fasher after the outbreak of hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum. He remained employed by Sudan TV at the time of his arrest.
Sudan, a country with a long history of brutality against journalists under the 30-year Islamist dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir (ousted in 2019), has seen a further, significant decline in press freedom since the eruption of the current conflict. Dozens of journalists have been detained or killed by both sides. Many were forced out of work due to closure of their media houses and fled into exile. There are no newspapers printing in Sudan any more, and online media houses often lack stable revenue.
Last year, the capital Khartoum was gutted by fires, shelling, bombing, and street fighting. More recently, El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has become the focal point of the deadly clashes. The city witnessed a recent attempt by the RSF to seize control, resulting in the death of a senior RSF commander, Ali Yagoub, who led the offensive. The SLA, alongside other factions of the Darfur joint force, is currently allied with the SAF in the ongoing conflict.