Gross human rights violations continue to be carried out in the name of “fighting terrorism” in Egypt. Thousands of sympathizers, members and suspected members of unauthorized Islamist groups have been administratively detained without charge or trial. Torture continues to be used systematically on political detainees and since 1992 the use of the death penalty has increased dramatically. Armed opposition groups have also been responsible for grave human rights abuses and dozens of civilians, including members of the Coptic Christian community and tourists have been deliberately killed. The government’s response to the concerns raised by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations has been wholly inadequate. Amnesty International again calls on the government to end human rights violations and to introduce legal and practical safeguards.
