Systematic Torture in Egypt: Report Reveals Widespread Abuse and Impunity

Watan-Torture practices against political detainees in Egypt have not ceased, according to the Egyptian Front for Human Rights, which published a report titled: “No Retreat from Torture in Egypt: Differing Officials, Unified Methods.” The report analyzes 569 torture testimonies during the pretrial phase between 2013 and 2021.

The report aims to shed light on the continuity of torture practices in Egypt despite international obligations and previous recommendations. It focuses on analyzing victim testimonies to provide a systematic overview of the patterns, prevalence, and legal and humanitarian impacts of torture, amid the absence of effective accountability for perpetrators.

The documented cases span eight years and are based on official investigations into 12 cases involving hundreds of detainees who were subjected to cruel treatment and violations of dignity without accountability or compensation.

Systematic Torture

In June 2017, the United Nations Committee Against Torture published its findings on torture in Egypt, concluding that security forces systematically used torture. The committee issued urgent recommendations to Egypt, including ending torture and ill-treatment in all detention sites, publicly condemning such practices at the highest levels, adopting a zero-tolerance policy, and prosecuting those responsible, including high-ranking officials.

A Persistent Issue

Seven years after these recommendations, torture remains a deeply rooted and unresolved issue in Egypt. There is no evidence of structural reforms or efforts to address its legacy. The report attempts to offer a focused portrayal of the ongoing torture practices, which constitute serious human rights violations and obstruct fair trials. These findings are based on the analysis of legal documents from cases in which torture, humiliation, and harsh treatment occurred on a wide scale without serious government oversight or compliance with Egypt’s international commitments.

The report draws from investigations into 12 cases, analyzing the complaints and testimonies of accused individuals regarding the abuse they endured, how the judiciary and official authorities responded, and whether victims received justice.

Despite involving hundreds of defendants, the report bases its conclusions on the testimonies of 569 individuals who were arrested and investigated. These include investigation records and detention renewal sessions, some of which spanned several years. Most of these were politically motivated cases, with ten investigated by the Supreme State Security Prosecution or military courts, and some tried by civilian and military courts.

Who Is Responsible?

According to the report, torture in Egypt is practiced systematically, based on extensive evidence and testimonies highlighting the physical and psychological suffering of victims. Members of the National Security Sector and police officers bear direct responsibility, along with elements of the General and Military Intelligence and the Public Prosecution—especially the State Security Prosecution.

The Public Prosecution also bears significant responsibility for its failure to investigate torture allegations raised during interrogations and detention renewals. Instead, it relied on coerced confessions as evidence.

Torture is not limited to a particular phase of detention; it may occur throughout, including in official prisons and police stations. Many detainees suffer permanent injuries as a result of brutal torture by State Security officers. Some, like Egyptian economist Ayman Hadhoud, died under suspicious circumstances linked to torture. Nevertheless, the Public Prosecution failed to launch an independent and effective investigation into his death.

The report also highlights the judiciary’s failure to bring perpetrators to justice, further eroding trust in the legal system and reinforcing a culture of impunity.

An Established Pattern

Torture in Egypt is systematic and structural, forming a core method of operation for security agencies. The report found that the cases involved multiple agencies across different phases, particularly due to the prolonged legal proceedings and detention periods—some lasting three to five years.

These cases involved the National Security Agency, General Intelligence, branches of the military, police forces, and military camps. The diversity of agencies involved reflects the nature of the charges—ranging from political violence and espionage to funding rights organizations and spreading false news. Victims identified these agencies as responsible for the harsh treatment they endured.

Torture also occurred in various locations such as military prosecution offices, military police stations, prisons, and State Security Prosecution buildings. Victims reported being tortured even within the State Security Prosecution premises, by guards following orders from National Security officers.

The report emphasizes that torture occurring in the presence of judicial officials without action reflects a troubling complacency and a failure by the prosecution to fulfill its legal responsibilities.

The Unknown Torturer

Many victims reported difficulty identifying their torturers due to being blindfolded during abuse. However, testimonies suggest that the perpetrators belonged to well-known agencies and acted under direct orders and supervision.

The severity of torture varied depending on the nature of the case and the detainee’s profile, with political violence cases and Islamist affiliations leading to harsher treatment.

Political Violence Cases

Defendants in politically motivated cases—especially those with Islamist affiliations—were subjected to the most brutal torture. The National Security Agency is notorious for its violent tactics, and facilities like the Azouli military prison are known for their cruelty.

Investigative records show complaints of lasting injuries and trauma, especially among victims involved in overlapping cases of political violence and Islamist ties. Despite official documentation of injuries, no fair opportunity was given to victims to prove the torture, violating both national and international laws. Some of these cases even resulted in death sentences that were carried out.

Electric Shocks and “Grill” Position

Victim testimonies revealed common torture methods, most notably electric shocks. The report found that 96% of 500 reviewed cases involved electric shocks, documented in facilities such as Azouli prison, Battalion 101 in Arish, and various National Security offices.

Victims described being shocked in multiple body areas—including fingers, feet, chest, back, abdomen, tongue, genitals, and rectum—sometimes for hours over several days until they lost consciousness. These methods caused severe burns, numbness, and neurological disorders.

Another widely used torture method is the “grill position”, reported in about 320 cases. This involves tying a detainee’s hands and feet to a rod and suspending them between two chairs, exposing them to extreme pain and gradual loss of limb sensation. The name comes from its resemblance to the position of a lamb being prepared for roasting.

Stripping, Beatings, and Humiliation

Stripping detainees naked is frequently used alongside other torture methods like suspension and electric shocks, to increase pain or humiliate the victim. Detainees are sometimes left blindfolded and naked in detention hallways for hours.

Beatings are routine and normalized forms of violence, though technically illegal under Egyptian law. All 500 reviewed cases showed detainees being beaten—either by security personnel or by fellow detainees at the direction of security staff.

Final Recommendations

The report concludes by calling for an expanded definition of torture under Egyptian law to align with international standards outlined in Article 1 of the Convention Against Torture. It also urges legal reforms to separate the Public Prosecution’s investigative and prosecutorial powers, ensuring independent and transparent inquiries into abuse allegations.

Finally, the Egyptian Interior Ministry is urged to prosecute those involved in torture to end the entrenched culture of impunity.