Refugees International has voiced serious concerns about the harsh treatment of Sudanese refugees in Egypt, emphasizing the detrimental effects of the new asylum law, which may facilitate deportations and limit access to services. The organization, along with Amnesty International, reports on forced returns and violations of international law. Calls for urgent international actions have been made to amend Egypt’s asylum policies and protect vulnerable populations fleeing conflict in Sudan.
Refugees International expressed grave concerns regarding the deteriorating conditions faced by Sudanese refugees in Egypt, calling for immediate international intervention to protect their rights. Their recent report, titled “No Model of Refuge,” highlights the increasing risks associated with deportations, limited access to essential services, and legal uncertainties that seriously jeopardize the safety of these refugees in Egypt.
The passage of Egypt’s new asylum law in December 2024 has raised significant alarms among human rights organizations. This law incorporates ambiguous national security provisions, enabling authorities to revoke refugee status and criminalize those considered to have entered the country illegally. Notably, the law was enacted without consultation from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or civil society entities, thus further constraining protections for asylum seekers.
Refugees International’s findings indicate that Sudanese refugees frequently experience denial of healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. Schools catering to Sudanese children have been closed, hospitals regularly deny treatment, and the criteria for obtaining work permits remain nearly unattainable for refugees. Additionally, refugee-led organizations that have been pivotal in providing assistance now encounter further restrictions due to the new asylum legislation.
Amnesty International also reported widespread incidents of arbitrary detention and forced repatriation of Sudanese refugees by the Egyptian government. Their records reveal numerous instances of Sudanese individuals, including men, women, and children, being held in overcrowded and unsanitary detention facilities prior to being forcibly returned to Sudan without due process. Shockingly, from January to March 2024, at least 800 Sudanese refugees were deported from Egypt, stripped of their opportunity to claim asylum. This action violates the principle of non-refoulement as outlined in the 1951 Refugee Convention, to which Egypt is a party.
The ongoing geopolitical instability in Sudan has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Diplomatic mediation efforts have continually failed, with leaders from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) unwilling to cease their violent confrontations. Recent escalations in Khartoum and Darfur have led to alarming reports of atrocities, including ethnically motivated killings in West Darfur. Despite the UNSC’s resolution in March 2024 demanding a halt to violence, subsequent negotiations between the SAF and RSF disintegrated due to entrenched hostilities.
In light of these circumstances, Refugees International is calling for urgent international actions. They urge donor nations to compel Egypt to amend its asylum policies, suggesting the cessation of deportations for Sudanese refugees, the reopening of community schools, and the issuance of work permits for asylum seekers. Furthermore, the UNHCR is encouraged to adopt a more assertive position against Egypt’s restrictive policies and to seek access to detention centers to supervise the treatment of Sudanese refugees. The organization warns that Egypt’s new asylum framework risks establishing a perilous precedent that could undermine international refugee protection norms and exacerbate the plight of those fleeing conflict in Sudan.
In conclusion, the humanitarian conditions for Sudanese refugees in Egypt are rapidly deteriorating, prompting urgent calls for international intervention. The new asylum law poses significant risks to refugee safety, with reports of deportations, detention, and denial of access to essential services. Human rights organizations urge donor nations and the UNHCR to pressure Egypt into revising its policies and ensure the protection of refugees fleeing violence in Sudan. Without immediate action, the situation is likely to worsen, setting a dangerous precedent for international refugee protections.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
