Families of Egyptian political prisoners launch UK advocacy group

A new UK advocacy group has launched to represent the families of political detainees held in Egypt, according to a press release. The Families of Egyptian Detainees Association (Feda) intends to work with international institutions and authorities to secure the release of these prisoners of conscience.

Since the military coup in 2013, which ousted Egypt's democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi, there has been a significant rise in political detentions. Human rights groups estimate that over 60,000 prisoners of conscience are in Egyptian jails, with at least 1,000 of them being women. Many of these detainees are students, young activists, and members of the political spectrum.

Feda aims to represent the families of detainees worldwide, working to keep their plight at the forefront of national and international attention. The association plans to advocate for fair trials, humane conditions, and the release of detainees through various means, such as engaging with international institutions, religious and political leaders, the media, and other human rights groups.

Feda will also organise visits to the United Nations, pursue legal action against violations, and hold public events in solidarity with the detainees. Despite Egypt launching a national human rights strategy in September 2021, Feda believes the provisions have yet to be implemented, as families continue to await improvements in prison conditions and the release of detainees.