Nabil Farfour, a 65-year-old Egyptian political prisoner, died due to alleged medical negligence on February 27. His passing marks the eighth political prisoner death in two months linked to such negligence. Advocacy groups stress the need for an independent investigation and transparency regarding prisoner conditions in Egypt, where many political detainees reportedly suffer from inadequate medical care and poor treatment.
Nabil Farfour, a 65-year-old Egyptian political prisoner, has passed away in prison due to alleged medical negligence, according to reports from various human rights organizations, including the Shehab Centre for Human Rights. His death marks the eighth political prisoner to die from similar circumstances within the last two months, reflecting a disturbing trend in the treatment of political detainees in Egypt.
Farfour, who had worked as an agricultural engineer before his imprisonment, was sentenced to five years in prison under case number 257 by the Alexandria Military Court. He reportedly died on February 27 after numerous health complications worsened during his confinement. He was arrested approximately two months earlier, following a midday prayer at a mosque; security forces intercepted him and compelled him to accompany them without allowing him to fetch his needed medications.
After being denied essential healthcare and medication, Farfour’s health ultimately deteriorated to the point of suffering a stroke. The Shehab Centre condemned this as “slow killing due to deliberate medical negligence” and called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death, as well as the release of other ill detainees.
This incident marks the third death of a political prisoner in Egyptian detention since February, with rights organizations reporting over 50 such fatalities from similar causes in the previous year. Concerns regarding the inhumane conditions faced by detainees, as well as denial of adequate medical care, have been raised multiple times by various advocacy groups.
Amnesty International has specifically criticized prison authorities for contributing to the deaths of inmates and exacerbating their medical conditions. This issue of neglect in prisons resonates even more poignantly as Laila Soueif, the mother of imprisoned activist Alaa Abd al-Fattah, was hospitalized following a 130-day hunger strike advocating for her son’s release.
A coalition of 25 organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, urged UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to take action for Abd al-Fattah’s release. Human Rights Watch has emphasized the need for justification from Egyptian authorities regarding the number of individuals in detention during an ongoing crackdown on dissent, underscoring a lack of transparency that complicates assessments of prison conditions and human rights.
In 2022, it was estimated by local and international human rights groups that Egypt was detaining approximately 60,000 political prisoners since the tenure of President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi began.
The death of Nabil Farfour highlights critical issues surrounding medical negligence and the treatment of political prisoners in Egypt. Human rights organizations have raised urgent calls for transparency and accountability concerning these deaths. The ongoing detention of thousands without proper health care raises significant ethical concerns regarding human rights in the country, necessitating immediate attention and reform.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
