The Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR) condemned an attack on two Egyptian doctors working in Kuwait on Monday. According to the EOHR, the Egyptian government has failed to provide sufficient security for Egyptians working overseas by not properly investigating or seriously pursuing crimes against Egyptian migrant workers.
The attack happened at Jahra Hospital, in Kuwait’s Al-Jahra governorate. According to the EOHR report, one of the doctors was about to finish his shift when he and his colleague were approached by a man asking them to have a look at his father, who had been in intensive care. The doctor apparently told the man he would have a look at the patient, but requested the man wait a few minutes. The man then reportedly flew into a rage and attacked the doctors before being taken into custody.
This is not the first time Egyptians abroad have felt their rights were not adequately protected. Egyptian human rights lawyer Ahmed El-Gizawy was arrested by Saudi police for allegedly smuggling drugs through the airport on 17 April. El-Gizawy had filed a case against the Saudi government a week before for its refusal to combat the inadequate working conditions Egyptian migrant workers were facing. The International Labor Organization estimates roughly 1.7 million Egyptians work in Saudi Arabia, and many reports of the abuse of worker’s rights have been reported.
An Egyptian wedding planner and designer, Nagla Wafa, was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison and 500 lashes after a business deal with a Saudi princess went awry. “As of May of 2012, Ms Wafa has been subjected to 50 floggings per week within the ‘Al-Malz’ Prison. She currently faces 200 more floggings… despite her suffering from distortions to her spine,” the EOHR said in an online statement.
The EOHR “regrets the absence of the government’s role in protecting the rights of Egyptians abroad,” demanding the government provide Egyptian expatriates with all the aid and assistance Egyptian citizens are entitled to when overseas to protect their interests and dignity.
