Concerns Raised Over Egypt’s Treatment of Sudanese Refugees

Refugees International has raised alarms over the declining conditions for Sudanese refugees in Egypt, urging immediate international action to protect their rights. The new asylum law has introduced risks of deportation and restricted access to services. Additionally, Amnesty International reports cases of arbitrary detention and forced returns. The broader humanitarian crisis in Sudan further complicates these issues, necessitating urgent intervention to revise restrictive asylum policies.

Refugees International expressed grave concerns regarding the deteriorating conditions faced by Sudanese refugees in Egypt. They emphasized the urgent need for international intervention to protect the rights of these individuals. Their report, titled “No Model of Refuge,” highlights challenges such as risks of deportation, limited access to essential services, and legal ambiguities that compromise the safety of Sudanese refugees in Egypt.

The introduction of Egypt’s new asylum law in December 2024 has raised alarm among human rights organizations. This law features vague provisions related to national security that empower authorities to revoke refugee status and penalize individuals considered to have entered the country illegally. Furthermore, the law was enacted without input from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or civil society organizations, further undermining asylum seekers’ protections.

The report by Refugees International outlines numerous instances where Sudanese refugees have been denied medical care, education, and employment opportunities. Many schools catering to Sudanese children have been closed, hospitals frequently refuse treatment, and the requirements for work permits remain prohibitively strict for refugees. Additionally, refugee-led organizations that provide critical assistance are encountering new restrictions under this asylum law.

Amnesty International corroborates these findings, documenting arbitrary detentions and forced deportations of Sudanese refugees by Egyptian authorities. The organization reported instances of Sudanese individuals, including men, women, and children, being held in overcrowded and unhygienic detention facilities before being repatriated to Sudan without due legal process. Notably, between January and March 2024, at least 800 Sudanese refugees were expelled from Egypt without the opportunity to seek asylum, violating the principle of non-refoulement set out in the 1951 Refugee Convention to which Egypt is a signatory.

The ongoing geopolitical turmoil in Sudan exacerbates the already critical humanitarian situation. Mediation attempts have consistently failed as factions within the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) remain unyielding in their violent confrontations. Reports from Khartoum and Darfur indicate severe human rights violations, including ethnically motivated killings in West Darfur. In March 2024, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution advocating for an immediate end to violence in Sudan, but subsequent negotiations collapsed amid ongoing hostilities.

In response, Refugees International calls for immediate international action, urging donor nations to compel Egypt to amend its asylum policies. They recommend that Egypt cease deportations of Sudanese refugees, reopen community schools, and grant work permits to Sudanese asylum seekers. Furthermore, they encourage UNHCR to adopt a more assertive stance regarding Egypt’s restrictive practices and to obtain access to detention centers for the oversight of the treatment of Sudanese refugees. Refugees International warns that Egypt’s revised asylum framework poses a significant risk, as it could erode international refugee protection standards and worsen the crisis for those escaping conflict in Sudan.

In summary, the treatment of Sudanese refugees in Egypt has drawn significant criticism from organizations such as Refugees International and Amnesty International. New asylum laws have exacerbated challenges including deportation risks, restricted access to essential services, and significant legal uncertainties. Furthermore, geopolitical instability in Sudan contributes to the dire humanitarian situation. Urgent international intervention is required to amend Egypt’s policies and ensure the safety and rights of Sudanese refugees.

Original Source: www.jurist.org