- Page 2
- Page 1 of 15
"Work on Him Until He Confesses"
Impunity for Torture in Egypt
Summary
Methodology
Key
Recommendations
To the
Government of Egypt
To the
Office of the Public Prosecutor
To the
Ministry of Interior
I.
Background: Egypt's Torture Epidemic
Systematic
Torture
Criminal
Investigations Practice
Torture and
Enforced Disappearance by State Security Investigations (SSI)
Egypt's
Obligations Under International Law..
II. The
Egyptian Government's Response to Torture Allegations
Internal
Disciplinary Measures of Interior Ministry
The National
Council for Human Rights Ombudsman (NCHR)
III. The
Role of the Niyaba
Access to
Places of Detention
Lack of
Independence
IV. The
Impunity Gap
Most Torture
Cases Never Reach Court
International
Legal Standards on Investigation of Torture Allegations
V. Why Most
Torture Cases Never Reach Court
Inadequate
Legal Framework
Absolute
Prosecutorial Discretion to Close Investigations
Intimidation
of Victims and Witnesses
Delays and
Poor Quality of Forensic Medical Examination
Conflict of
Interest: Relying on Police for Evidence
Delays in
Investigations
Failure to
Conduct an Impartial Investigation
Impunity for
State Security Investigations Officers
VI. State
Security Court Reliance on Confessions Obtained under Torture
The 2006 Taba
Trial
The
Victorious Sect Case
The Zeitoun
Case
VII. Lenient
Sentencing and Failure to Discipline
VIII.
Conclusion: Impunity and Denial of Effective Remedy
IX.
Recommendations
To the
Government of Egypt
To the
Office of the Public Prosecutor
To the
Ministry of Interior
To the Egyptian Parliament
To European
Union Member States and the United States
Acknowledgments
Appendix
HRW Letter to Ministry of Interior [Original in Arabic]
HRW Letter
to Public Prosecutor [Original in Arabic]
- Page 2
- Page 1 of 15
