Seven children reported being tortured with electricity, including a 12-year-old named Abdullah Boumadian who was also waterboarded and placed in solitary confinement for 100 days. Two of the children reported that they were suspended by their arms and their shoulders were dislocated. Another boy said that he was fastened to a chair for three days. One 16-year-old boy said he feared he might not “be able to have children” because of what security officers did to him.
Since 2013, Egypt has been accused of torturing children as young as twelve as a response to opposition to the government. Egypt, in a breach of international human rights law, keeps children locked up alongside adults. It has been reported that the government tortures children and other innocent arrested people to force them to admit to terrorist activity.
Egypt’s State Information Service has responded to accusations saying they are part of a “smear campaign” on Egypt’s government and denies allegations of human rights abuses. Groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have compiled detailed reports condemning the Egyptian government. Najia Bounaim, Amnesty International’s North Africa Campaigns Director, spoke against the human rights abuses saying, “Instead of brazenly violating children’s rights the Egyptian authorities must release all children that are arbitrarily detained… Any allegations of torture or enforced disappearance must be investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice.”
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Author: Noelle Musolino; Editor: Vito Quaglia
