Multiple infections and at least 14 deaths have occurred in overcrowded Egyptian prisons, human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report on Monday. "At least 14 prisoners and detainees have died, most likely from complications due to Covid-19 in 10 prisons as of July 15," HRW wrote in its report based on "testimonies [...], letters that leaked from two prisons, credible reports from human rights groups and the media. ”
HRW denounces the lack of "medical care and the lack of access to tests" in Egyptian prisons. Information on the health situation in the country's prisons is strictly controlled by the authorities.
A health crisis made worse by prison overcrowding
The organization said that the Egyptian authorities have released some 13,000 prisoners since February, but that this is "insufficient" to solve the problem of prison overcrowding. HRW calls for "adequate medical care" for detainees and "speeding up of releases".
According to administrative documents and testimonies gathered by HRW, the prison authorities "seem to have done very little to isolate the prisoners with symptoms". In some penitentiary centers, "one or more cells" are designated to isolate prisoners suffering from the coronavirus, according to HRW, which specifies that no measures have been taken for the elderly and those at risk.
No masks for prisoners
"In at least three prisons, the guards did not allow detainees to obtain or wear masks," the same source continues, adding that it is the families who bring drugs and disinfectants to the prison. HRW says the Committee for Justice, a human rights organization, has documented "more than 190 suspected cases of Covid-19 in 12 prisons and 29 police stations". The Committee for Justice has estimated around fifteen the number of death cases.
In the spring, as Egypt recorded its first cases of Covid-19 contamination, human rights activists called for the release of many detainees to avoid their possible contamination in overcrowded prisons and questionable hygiene. The Interior Ministry has banned visits to the visiting room since March 10.
World
Coronavirus: Epidemic toll now exceeds 600,000 worldwide
World
Coronavirus: The virus will eventually "disappear", says Trump
- epidemic
- Jail
- Covid 19
- Egypt
- Coronavirus
- World