Topic: 2025 – Treatment of Prisoners
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Amelia Hewitt
The treatment of prisoners remains a pressing global human rights concern. Unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, lack of medical care, and under staffing leads to a widespread mistreatment across many regions. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), over 60% of countries have struggled with overcrowding; a factor like this increases the risk of limited access to rehabilitation services and abuse. Even with a well established legal system, people will often receive reduced public support. Egypt recognizes that prisoners still have their fundamental human rights and this treatment is essential for security and stability of societies. Egypt believes that any effective system must be balanced to responsibly maintain public safety, but should also be able to uphold human dignity, like the Mandela Rules and the basic principles for the treatment of prisoners. Egypt also acknowledges the challenges that are faced within its own correction system. As a nation, Egypt likes to emphasize the fact that prison reform is a gradual process and requires stable infrastructure, resources, and training rather than a sudden or externally imposed measure. Egypt stresses the importance of reformers in a manner consistent with its cultural context, national security priorities, and legal traditions.
Egypt has made a strong effort to enhance prison conditions by improving healthcare, making alternative sentencing, and reducing overcrowding through a conditional release. The government has also collaborated with the UNODC on a program that expands both the capacity of prisons and criminal justice reforms, while the national committees continue to inspect and monitor facilities to ensure progress.
The nation of Egypt believes that international cooperation should prioritize funding, technical support, and exchange of best practices. Therefore Egypt supports reducing overcrowding though an expansion on bail reforms and improving access to legal aid to reduce lengthy pre-trial detention. As a nation Egypt encourages investments in modern correctional infrastructures and better training for prison staff. Egypt would also like to partner with Non-Government Organizations to help expand psychological rehabilitation and educational programs. Lastly, Egypt advocates for the creation of voluntary UN support assistance that allows states to request guidance, resources, and training that is tailored to their needs. The nation of Egypt is committed to working with the Human Rights Council and fellow member states to help build safer and more reliable correction systems worldwide.
Sources
Amnesty International – “Egypt – Abused and Denied Healthcare, Prisoners’ Lives at Risk,” (2021) https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2021/01/egypt-abused-and-denied-heath-care-prisoners-lives-at-risk/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/08/world/middleeast/egypts-prisons-conditions.html
https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/egypt
