25 March 2024
Dear: Minister of State for Emigration; Egyptian Expatriates Affaire for immigration-related inquiries,
I am writing to you on behalf of the Global Detention Project, a research organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland that studies the laws and policies concerning the detention of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees worldwide. We are currently conducting a study of policies in the countries of North Africa, including Egypt, because of the challenges facing the entire region in managing migration, ensuring security, and upholding the rights of all people.
According to information that we have received from observers on the ground in Egypt, significant numbers of Sudanese nationals fleeing the ongoing conflict have allegedly been arrested, de facto detained, and deported from southern Egypt’s border areas–as well as third country nationals who have transited Sudan en route to Egypt. Previously, we have also received reports of large numbers of other nationalities, including Eritreans, being arbitrarily detained for prolonged periods in harsh conditions and with no ability to challenge their detention or access asylum procedures, and of their being deported despite the risks such removal poses. In light of this, we kindly request that you provide us with information on the following points:
- A list of detention facilities where migrants, asylum seekers, and non-citizens are currently being detained because of their non-citizen or immigration status.
- The number of people placed in any form of immigration-related detention in 2023 as well as for any other years for which data is available, in addition to data about the numbers of women and children placed in this form of detention.
- Information about the numbers of people deported from the country in 2023 as well as for any other year for which data is available.
- Information about the legal framework governing immigration-related detention, including relevant procedures and safeguards in place to protect their rights.
- Information about conditions and operations in these detention facilities, including access to healthcare and visits by family members, legal representatives, or detention monitoring bodies.
- The number of Sudanese nationals who have been deported to Sudan since the start of 2023, and where people are being detained in southern Egypt.
- Any measures your office is taking to implement relevant recommendations made during Egypt’s appraisal at the Universal Periodic Review in 2019, including:
31.368 Take measures to protect refugees and migrants from violence and attempts on their lives and further promote tolerance among local communities (Afghanistan);
31.370 Reamrm its commitment to the practice of non-refoulement and ensure that resources and support are available to vulnerable migrants (Bahamas);
31.14 Consider acceding to the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (Uruguay);
We would greatly appreciate your cooperation in providing us with the requested information, which will be invaluable to our research efforts. Please let us know if there are any protocols to follow or specific channels through which we should direct our inquiry.
Thank you for considering our request.
Sincerely,
Abdul Aziz Muhamat
Global Detention Project (Geneva, Switzerland)
