Thirty prisoners are in poor health or previous medical conditions have worsened, while 76 others are subject to torture and ill-treatment, according to El Nadeem Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence’s monthly report for August.
The report focused on human rights violations in detention, especially cases of medical negligence in prison as this major violation occurred frequently in August. The report recorded 99 Egyptians killed by police or armed forces, while 10 died in police stations or prisons.
Specific examples of medical negligence cited in the report included Ibrahim Salem Hashish, who died due to cancer of the kidneys at Al-Azhar hospital in Damietta. Also cited is Hesham Gaafar, director of Mada Foundation for Media Development and a Press Syndicate member, who needs to undergo prostate surgery. He is also suffering urinary retention and blood-related problems.
Four people allegedly died in prison from serious illnesses, the report said. It also documented cases of enforced disappearance, torture, and mistreatment inside prisons throughout the month of August.
There were allegedly 12 deaths in August: six people were killed at checkpoints or by non-commissioned police officers, five in airstrikes, and one person was tortured to death in prison.
The report referred to specific instances for these cases: a labourer was shot by non-commissioned police officers, five militants in North Sinai were killed in airstrikes, and one citizen was tortured to death by non-commissioned police officers and left near Al-Maadi Hospital.
El Nadeem said there were 29 cases of enforced disappearance in August, though this number includes some cases from July. The report detailed some of the people who were taken from their homes, such as a math teacher, Hossam Al-Ayouty, who was detained unlawfully after security forces has raided his home on 7 August. The report documented the case from the Facebook page of the Human Rights Monitor organisation.
Despite ongoing threats and having received a closure order in February, the centre has continued documenting and releasing reports on torture cases and violations of the Ministry of Interior.
El Nadeem Centre was founded in 1993, and was licensed by the Doctors Syndicate and the Ministry of Health.
