Rights organizations are pressing the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to take decisive action against Egypt’s escalating human rights issues. This call comes after the commission’s recent 85th session, during which 22 groups claimed that the Egyptian government’s report misrepresented critical abuses within the country.
The Egyptian government’s report, which covers the period from 2019 to 2024, denied the existence of detained journalists and prisoners of conscience. It characterized restrictions on civil society as efforts to promote “transparency.” Meanwhile, the commission’s country rapporteur presented findings that similarly failed to address widespread human rights violations. Notably, the report described the 2023 presidential election as “peaceful” and “competitive,” despite extensive documentation of repression and the criminalization of assembly, expression, and association.
Human rights advocates have highlighted a stark contrast between official submissions and the reality faced by many Egyptians. Over the past decade, thousands of peaceful critics, including journalists, political figures, and human rights defenders, have been detained under broad accusations of terrorism and “false news.” Evidence collected by rights groups and United Nations mechanisms shows persistent patterns of enforced disappearance, systematic torture, and prolonged pretrial detention. Detainees often find themselves cycled into new cases, facing similar charges without resolution.
In recent years, authorities have cracked down on dissent by closing down hundreds of news and civil society websites, dispersing small demonstrations, and executing preemptive mass arrests ahead of anticipated protests over various economic grievances. Prominent figures such as blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah, lawyer Hoda Abdel Moneim, and political challenger Ahmed Tantawy remain imprisoned or face renewed charges despite having previously served sentences.
Structural changes implemented since 2019 have further solidified security forces’ authority. Constitutional amendments have expanded military power, while counterterrorism and cybercrime laws remain broadly defined. A draft Criminal Procedure Code has drawn international criticism for undermining fair-trial protections and enabling prolonged detention without adequate judicial oversight. Rights groups have noted a troubling lack of accountability for deaths in custody, torture allegations, and previous incidents such as mass killings of protesters.
Despite the African Commission’s previous resolutions identifying Egypt’s violations of the African Charter, including mass death sentences and restrictions on journalism, it has not issued a new resolution since 2015. The coalition of rights organizations argues that Cairo has not implemented the commission’s prior recommendations or adhered to decisions on individual complaints.
In light of these developments, the coalition is urging the commission to adopt a new resolution and ensure that its concluding observations reflect a thorough and evidence-based assessment of current conditions in Egypt. They emphasize the need for enhanced public engagement and immediate appeals to the Egyptian government. Additionally, they have called for a dedicated follow-up mechanism under Rule 112 to monitor the implementation of recommendations.
The groups have warned that ongoing patterns of arbitrary detention and abuse may necessitate the commission’s early-warning powers to alert the African Union Peace and Security Council. They also assert that any future session of the African Commission held in Egypt should be contingent on verifiable guarantees that all participants, including domestic critics, can enter the country safely and without fear of intimidation or reprisals.
As the situation in Egypt continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, with human rights advocates emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and reform.
