The passage discusses the death of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who died in custody while being tried for espionage charges under the presidency of Abdelfattah Al Sisi. Morsi's death has sparked international scrutiny and raised questions about the brutal treatment of political dissidents in Egyptian prisons. The report argues that the harsh conditions in which political prisoners like Morsi are held, including isolation from the outside world and denial of basic rights, contribute to their suffering.
Human rights organizations have reported that the Egyptian prison system may constitute torture according to international law. Morsi was unable to read books or newspapers, speak with other prisoners, and only received three visits from his family during his six years in prison. This lack of access to medical care for his chronic diabetes was also noted. An independent international investigation was called for by Human Rights Watch regarding the mistreatment of Morsi in detention.
The death of Morsi is seen as a metaphor for the broader suffering of thousands of political prisoners in Egypt. According to Mohamed Zaree, the director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, the harsh conditions of imprisonment are intended to send a message to dissidents: "be careful, if you enter prison, perhaps you will not come out alive."
The report also mentions the deaths of over 700 prisoners in Egyptian prisons since the 2013 coup, including Mohamed Mahdi Akef, the former spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood. The judiciary's independence has been questioned, particularly in trials of political dissidents, leading to appeals ordering retrials and angering the executive branch. The recently approved constitutional amendment grants even more power to the president in judicial appointments, making it unlikely that any sentence would contradict the wishes expressed in the Ittihadia Palace.
Despite these issues, the international community, especially Europe, has largely accepted the regime, seeing it as a strategic ally and a model for managing migration flows. The EU has maintained close ties with Egypt despite the brutal treatment of political prisoners and the lack of democratic progress. The report suggests that a more humane treatment of political prisoners, specifically Morsi, could have been a diplomatic incentive but was not provided. The EU did not even tighten the screws on the regime when it tortured and killed a European citizen, Italian researcher Giulio Regeni.
In conclusion, the death of Morsi serves as a reminder of the brutal realities of the Al Sisi regime and its implications for human rights in Egypt, which continue to receive little attention from the international community.
