Some civil society organisations (CSOs) have criticised the government of Egypt for its ‘relentless campaign’ against immigrants and students from the Uyghur minority.

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms and other human rights organisations have condemned the government of Egypt for its relentless campaign against immigrants and students from the Uyghur minority.

Development Diaries reports that the CSOs, including the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, noted in a statement that refugees in Egypt are exposed to great danger by security authorities’ forcible deportation measures.

Other members of the group of CSOs are El Nadim Centre, Egyptian Front for Human Rights, Committee for Justice Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, and The Freedom Initiative.

It is understood that the state security-led campaign recently targeted a 38-year-old student, Bilal Abdul Karim, who was arrested on 21 March, 2023.

According to the CSOs, the police arrested Abdul Karim while raiding his home, during which they confiscated his passport and all of his family’s savings in various currencies.

They noted that the arrest of Abdul Karim has provoked a state of panic and insecurity among the refugee community in Egypt, raising fears that at any time the entirety of their savings could be confiscated by police based on falsified accusations.

‘Refugees are entitled to humane treatment that respects international refugee law and human rights law, and protection from threats against physical integrity’, the statement read.

‘They further have the right under international law to access justice and assistance with basic physical and material needs, and to reunite with their families’.

Freedom House ranked Egypt as ‘not free’ in its Freedom in the World 2023 report on political rights and civil liberties, with the North African country earning 18 points out of a possible 100.

At press time, the government of Egypt had not reacted to the accusations.

Development Diaries calls on the Egyptian government to respect its laws and international human rights laws like the 1951 United Nations Convention Related to the Status of Refugees which it ratified.

Source: CIHRS

Photo source: Dan H