April 22, 2026
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The Undersigned Organizations expressed deep concern over the violations suffered by Sudanese writer and novelist Idris Ali Babikir during his detention in Egypt, which lasted nearly 50 days before he was forcibly deported to Sudan, despite holding asylum documentation issued by UNCHR, a recognized international body.
Testimonies provided by the writer reveal that he was subjected to harsh and inhumane detention conditions, including deliberate starvation, financial extortion, and being forced to pay accommodation costs inside the detention facility. He further experienced severe deterioration of his health due to the spread of insects such as lice, cockroaches, and mosquitoes, in an environment lacking the most basic standards of cleanliness and healthcare.
According to the statement, Babikir was also forced to endure dangerous living conditions inside places of detention, including violent altercations with other detainees and the absence of adequate protection, before he was later transferred to another police station. He further reported receiving support from some fellow detainees, amid the absence of any official intervention to protect him.
Babikir’s account also included allegations regarding the failure of Sudanese diplomatic authorities to adequately follow up on his case, in addition to his exposure to systematic ill-treatment inside the detention facility, in clear violation of his fundamental rights, most notably the right to human dignity, healthcare, and protection from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
These incidents, if confirmed, constitute grave violations of international obligations related to the protection of refugees and human rights, including the prohibition of arbitrary detention and the obligation to ensure humane treatment of detainees.
The undersigned organizations call for an urgent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Babikir’s detention and deportation, accountability for all those responsible for any violations he suffered, and the adoption of measures to prevent the recurrence of such practices, while ensuring full respect for the rights of refugees and migrants in accordance with international law.
Signatories
Committee for Justice (CFJ)
Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF)
Egyptian Front for Human Rights (EFHR)
Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF)
Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
El Nadim Center
Hraak for Change and Youth Empowerment
HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement
Keden Center For Human Rights and Justice
Law and Democracy Support Foundation (LDSF)
Nubian Center for Peace and Democracy
REDWORD for Human Rights & Freedom of Expression
Sudan Rights Watch Network