A new message leaked from Egypt’s Badr 3 prison has revealed the administration’s total lack of transparency over several detainees’ recent suicide attempts.
Ahmed Sami and two others detainees attempted suicide as a protest against the conditions in Badr 3.
After his attempt, Sami was sent to the prison’s medical bay, though his condition remains unknown.
Sami’s fellow prisoners made the demand that they be informed about his condition. In response the authorities permitted one detainee to visit the medical bay. However, the same prisoner was not allowed to visit Sami himself, raising questions about his health.
After having spent several years in prison, Sami was acquitted of various charges made against him, in a case involving alleged members of the Ansar al-Sharia group. However, after the acquittal he has continued to be detained on the basis of a new, separate case.
Over the last several months Badr 3 prisoners have been able to leak a number of messages to the outside world, detailing the extremely harsh conditions they are being subjected to. Dozens of detainees have attempted suicide over the last period, the messages have revealed.
Peaceful protests against conditions continue in the prison. Key demands are visits, excercise, adequate healthcare provision, improved conditions, and general respect for prisoners’ rights.
A number of Badr 3 inmates have initiated open-ended hunger strikes in protest against their conditions.
According to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, “all prisoners shall be treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings.”
