Egyptian jails have become scenes of alleged beatings, extortion, and even death for Sudanese refugees seeking safety from their war-torn homeland, according to accounts from refugees, lawyers, and human rights advocates. These reports contrast sharply with Egypt's public stance as a sanctuary for those fleeing the conflict in Sudan.
Authorities have reportedly detained thousands of refugees and migrants since late last year in a crackdown that has seen an escalation in deportations. More than 5,500 people have been deported since November, a significant increase from approximately 100 formal deportations annually in the preceding years, according to three security officials who spoke anonymously. While Egypt acknowledges taking in over a million Sudanese refugees following the war's outbreak in 2023, it faces an economic crisis and rising anti-migrant sentiment, leading to stricter measures.
Detained refugees describe overcrowded conditions, with inmates sleeping in shifts due to lack of space. They report beatings and assaults by other inmates, often for food and clothing, in unsanitary environments. The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights described the current campaign as "unprecedented," potentially violating international law's restrictions on deporting refugees. Egypt's State Information Service denies a broad-based campaign against refugees, stating that deportations follow clear legal procedures and are reserved for those who break laws or pose a national security threat. The service also highlighted Egypt's role in providing millions of Sudanese and other migrants with access to public services like education and healthcare, noting Egypt's high number of asylum applications as a sign of confidence in the country.
Fatalities and Harsh Conditions
Reuters documented at least three fatalities of Sudanese refugees in Egyptian prisons this year, including an 18-year-old high school student, Al-Nazir Al-Sadig, who died of pneumonia after more than three weeks in jail. His friends and relatives reported he suffered beatings and extortion from other inmates. Another security official indicated a total of nine Sudanese nationals had died in custody, though details remain unverified by Reuters. Former detainees have recounted violent incidents, including a sexual assault of an Eritrean refugee by fellow inmates, supported by medical records.
One former detainee described paying for a place to sleep in a crowded police station, with those unable to pay suffering hallucinations. Another Sudanese asylum seeker reported being targeted by criminal detainees who robbed him and struggled for air in a cell described as suffocating with a broken air conditioning unit. He also stated that clothes were stolen, leaving him cold during chilly winter nights. When he complained of a chest infection, no medicine was provided. He was later deported to Sudan, describing an arduous 18-hour journey in chains without food or water.
Voluntary Returns and Legal Concerns
Amidst the crackdown, some refugees are opting for voluntary return to Sudan, citing fears of arrest, especially for young men. Hosna, a 40-year-old teacher, expressed her fear that her teenage sons might be detained, leading her to choose returning to Sudan over risking separation from her children. Despite the precarious security situation in Sudan, she stated, "I came here searching for safety but there is no safety. It’s better to die in my country than lose my children."
Egypt passed a new asylum law in 2024 that grants refugees rights to work, education, and healthcare. However, the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) has expressed concern over provisions giving officials broad discretion in determining refugee status. Human rights advocates argue the law's implementing bylaws offer insufficient protection against refoulement, the forced return of refugees to danger, and risk codifying the current crackdown. UNHCR has stated that returns to Sudan are not advisable under current conflict conditions, though it acknowledges the strain on Egypt's public services.
Egypt has historically deported Sudanese migrants, but the current campaign is noted for its wider reach into population centers like Cairo and targeting individuals who had resided in Egypt for years before the current conflict. The U.N. estimates that over 1.1 million people are registered with UNHCR in Egypt, predominantly Sudanese. In recognition of its role in hosting migrants, the European Union pledged significant financial support to Egypt in 2024.