Coronavirus: Egypt is not confined but prohibits prison visits

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In the first country in Africa to be affected by the coronavirus, the official figures remain relatively low but the information is distilled in small quantities. The Egyptian government has not confined its population, but has prohibited visits to prisons.

Publicity

With our special correspondent in Cairo , Nadia Blétry

Egypt has taken action against the coronavirus. Schools and places of worship have been closed, restaurants are limited. Among these decisions, there is also the decision to ban prison visits. A measure challenged by the family of Alaa Abdel Fattah, figure of the Egyptian revolution of 2011, now imprisoned.

For three weeks Mona Seif has not heard from her brother Alaa, who is imprisoned. This is one of the consequences of the coronavirus. The detainees are completely cut off from the outside world. Because family visits have been prohibited. For Mona Seif, this measure is unfounded, in an Egypt which is not confined.

" They banned all visits, " she says. But those who work in the prisons go home every day, take public transportation, mingle with the crowd, meet their families. In fact, prisoners are even more exposed and more vulnerable to infection. "

Overcrowded prisons

Egyptian prisons are overcrowded, poorly ventilated. Prisoners have more than limited access to health care there. So much data that makes Mona Seif fear the worst. Particularly in high security prisons like the one where his brother was locked up, like many other political prisoners.

Alaa Abdel Fattah became a figure in the popular revolt of 2011 (here in an interview on December 26, 2011). AFP PHOTO / Filippo MONTEFORTE

" Alaa, my brother, is not allowed to leave his cell," she continues. He never sees the sun, so you can imagine the impact on his health. He never does physical exercise. I have no idea how his immune system will cope with the coronavirus crisis we are going through right now . "

Complaints that went unanswered

After filing unanswered complaints, Mona Seif and her family ended up taking to the streets to demand that the state take responsibility for its detainees. Her response was to be briefly arrested and charged with inciting the population to revolt.

Prisoners are always abandoned to their fate, in the most total invisibility. According to human rights organizations, 60,000 people have been imprisoned since the current regime came to power.

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