Amid worsening detention conditions in Egyptian prisons, the deaths of political detainees continue at an alarming rate, primarily due to deliberate medical neglect, the lack of basic healthcare, and the systematic denial of detainees’ fundamental rights.
Hamdi Yousry Hashem, a 62-year-old political prisoner, died on 20 April 2025 at the medical centre of Al-Ashir Min Ramadan Prison after prolonged suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, hypertension, and diabetes. Despite repeated calls for adequate treatment, he received no effective medical care.
Hashem’s death marks the fourth among political prisoners in April alone, signalling a sharp escalation in the dangers faced by detainees.
He had been arrested on 26 November 2019 and remained in custody in connection with State Security Case No. 2215 of 2022, on charges of “joining and funding a terrorist group”—generic accusations commonly levelled at opposition figures, often used to justify arbitrary detention through the practice of “recycling” detainees across cases to prolong pretrial imprisonment without trial or conviction.
Deliberate medical neglect constitutes a form of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, in direct violation of Egypt’s obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees detainees the right to life, medical care, and humane treatment.
Over 50 political prisoners died last year alone as a result of medical negligence and dire detention conditions in facilities lacking ventilation, adequate nutrition, or access to essential medication—an environment that proves lethal for those with chronic illnesses or requiring regular medical supervision.
Despite the recurring deaths, Egyptian authorities have failed to launch transparent investigations or hold anyone accountable, reinforcing a culture of impunity and enabling this deadly pattern to persist.
The death of Hamdi Yousry Hashem stands as yet another human tragedy in the ongoing crisis of Egypt’s prison system. It underscores the urgent need for international pressure and independent investigation into the treatment of political detainees and the systemic neglect leading to slow deaths behind bars.
