Hundreds disappear in Egypt government crackdown: Amnesty

Amnesty International says the Egyptian government has been increasingly relying on a “sinister” campaign of abductions and torture to silence political dissidents.

On Wednesday, the UK-based rights body released a grievous account of countrywide forced disappearance of activists, saying the crackdown had seen an average of three to four people being spirited away by security forces each day since early last year.

Amnesty said most of those who disappeared were supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi, and included children as young as 14 and students, political activists, and protesters.

They were never seen or heard of again after their houses were raided by security forces.

“Enforced disappearance has become a key instrument of state policy in Egypt. Anyone who dares to speak out is at risk,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa director.

Battling terrorism was “being used as an excuse to abduct, interrogate and torture people who challenge the authorities,” he was quoted as saying in the report.

Amnesty can reveal “collusion between national security forces and judicial authorities” in favor of running the campaign, the key researcher said.

The report by Amnesty also mentioned the case of Giulio Regeni, an Italian student who was found dead in Cairo in February. Signs of torture could be seen on his body.

SS