UN Experts Condemn Continued Detention of Supporters in Egypt

The Egyptian Human Rights Front has reported that a group of UN special rapporteurs and international organizations have strongly condemned the ongoing detention of Egyptian citizens who participated in peaceful demonstrations since 2023.

In a statement released on Thursday, the human rights organization revealed that a team of UN experts expressed concern in an official communication to Cairo authorities regarding the arrest of dozens during solidarity protests for Gaza in December 2025.

These experts warned that the Egyptian government is misusing ‘anti-terrorism’ and ‘public order’ laws to suppress freedom of expression and civil participation. The letter was signed by six senior UN officials, including the special rapporteur on human rights in the fight against terrorism, the working group on arbitrary detention, the working group on enforced disappearances, and the special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied territories.

According to the report, at least 88 individuals have been detained, with 67 still in ‘temporary detention.’ Some protesters have reportedly gone missing for periods ranging from 2 to 5 days before being referred to the prosecutor’s office.The letter specifically mentions the cases of ‘Mohammed Salim’ and ‘Omar Ghazi’ two citizens who were arrested in Alexandria on October 20 2023 and after two days of enforced disappearance were referred to the National Security Prosecutor on terrorism charges.

UN experts also raised alarms about the dire conditions in the ‘October 6’ prison citing overcrowding inadequate ventilation poor healthcare and severe restrictions on contact with lawyers and family members. Such conditions could amount to ‘cruel inhuman or degrading treatment’ according to international standards.

In conclusion the UN rapporteurs urged Egyptian authorities to provide immediate and transparent explanations regarding the reasons for the continued temporary detentions prison conditions and the compliance of the country’s anti-terrorism laws with international human rights obligations.