The “Article 55” Coalition Issues its Monthly Bulletin on Violations in Prisons and Detention Centers, and Key Human Rights and Political Developments in Egypt for May 2025

The “Article 55” Coalition Issues its Monthly Bulletin on Violations in Prisons and Detention Centers, and Key Human Rights and Political Developments in Egypt for May 2025

The organizations of the “Article 55” Coalition have issued their monthly bulletin highlighting the most prominent human rights, legal, and judicial developments in Egypt during the month of May 2025, alongside a detailed documentation of violations that occurred inside prisons and detention centers under Egyptian security authorities.

1- Developments in the Egyptian Reality – May 2025

The month of May 2025 witnessed important political, economic, and media-related developments. Among these were discussions regarding the possibility of establishing an American military base on the islands of Tiran and Sanafir, as well as increasing U.S. pressure on Egypt to participate more actively in regional military alliances, especially in Yemen. The month also saw American statements regarding the passage of warships through the Suez Canal without paying fees, and recurring (Israeli) allegations concerning the smuggling of weapons from Egypt into the Gaza Strip.

Internally, security and judicial targeting of journalists and activists continued, while professional protests against economic policies intensified. Limited amendments were approved to the election law, without any fundamental change to the composition of the upcoming parliament.

2- Documentation of Violations Inside Detention Facilities – May 2025

The “Article 55” Coalition documented three cases of deaths inside detention facilities during May 2025 due to medical neglect or direct torture. Among the victims was the young man Belal Ra’fat Mohamed Ali, who died at the Minya Al-Qamh Police Station after years of being deprived of medical care. Also, among them was Abdel Rahman Mohamed Hassan, who passed away hours after his arbitrary arrest at the Sayeda Zeinab Police Station as a result of severe physical torture. Additionally, Ahmed Abdel Aal El-Gendy (62 years old), who spent years in pre-trial detention, lost his life due to systematic medical negligence.

Conditions for detainees continue to worsen, with ongoing denial of their most basic human and health rights. The “Article 55” Coalition received distress messages from within the Balqas Police Station detention facility in the Dakahlia Governorate, describing catastrophic living conditions that pushed the political detainee Mustafa El-Najjar to enter an open hunger strike, followed by a suicide attempt by cutting his wrists. In an unjustified response, he was transferred to Gamasa Prison instead of receiving medical care or initiating a proper investigation.

Likewise, Borg Al-Arab Prison witnessed a violent campaign of confiscation that targeted all detainees’ belongings, including clothes, medicines, water, and essential food items. It also included the complete closure of ventilation and exercise areas for prisoners.

Therefore, the “Article 55” Coalition calls on the international community and local and international human rights organizations to take immediate action to stop these violations. It also urges the initiation of an independent and transparent investigation into all documented incidents and the accountability of those responsible according to the provisions of Egyptian law and international human rights standards. Egyptian authorities must commit to implementing the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and the Egyptian prison regulations, ceasing their systematic violations. Moreover, decent detention conditions must be provided that respect human dignity and the right to a humane life.