Abuse and torture or neglect by authorities a toss up of which is worse.

Human rights in Egypt continue to call on the authorities to absolutely prohibit the use of torture, without exception and without “special permits”, and to pass legislation specifically outlawing and criminalizing torture. To do otherwise will cast doubt on Egypt’s claims of upholding the most basic moral and democratic principles expected of members of civilized society.

A shocking portrayal of the harsh, inhuman and degrading conditions in which innocent prisoners and detainees are held seems to be the norm with the latest report of Mohamed Salah Sanusy who was unjustly arrested and held at the Shobra Alkheima Police Station inCairo on March 29, 2009.

 Sanusy was arrested after objecting to the way in which Officer Mustapha Lotfy spoke to him. Lotfy stopped 26-year-old Sanusy in the street and with the aid of his thugs from the agency mercilessly beat him. Hence, his horrific journey with his transfer to the station and continuous beatings, electrocuting and stubbing of cigarettes in all parts of his body began.  During the initial days of his incarceration Sanusy  was  illegally held for many hours in a cold cell handcuffed and blindfolded and denied  basic sanitary facilities and appropriate toilet facilities. Although food was provided, the measures practiced in offering him the food were extremely humiliating.

Sadly Sanusy who is from a simple  working class family  remains detained at the Borg el-Arab Prison with a host of fabricated charges to his name including drug trafficking. Human rights request that a number of steps be taken to preserve the detainee’s rights and insure appropriate conditions of incarceration.

The indifference to its moral and legal obligations to detainees is particularly objectionable in view of the fact that no effective steps have been taken to end the continued injustices and brutality by State security agents, and police officers. Rights must be protected regardless of the detainees’ legal status whether or not their incarceration is justified.

In conclusion, it may be ascertained that responsible and decent people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will always find a way around the laws.