HUMAN Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday accused Egyptian security forces of torturing children in jails, saying it was typical of “the brutal security tactics” employed by the North African state.
In a 43-page report, HRW and Egyptian rights group Belady documented alleged abuses against 20 children between the ages of 12 and 17.
They called on the US, France and other European countries to halt arms support to Egyptian security forces “until Egypt takes measurable steps to end the abuses and hold accountable those responsible”.
The rights groups accused the police, the interior ministry’s National Security Agency and the military of wide-ranging abuses including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, beatings, waterboarding and electrocution.
“The children’s accounts of torture and other abuse are typical of the brutal security tactics that Human Rights Watch, Belady and other organisations have documented against children and adults detained for alleged political or security offences in hundreds of cases since 2014,” the groups said.
Fifteen of the 20 children whose testimonials were compiled in the report said they were tortured in pre-trial detention, usually during interrogation while held incommunicado. Others reported torture with electricity including with stun guns.
“Children are describing being waterboarded and electrocuted on their tongues and genitals, and yet Egypt’s security forces are facing no consequences,” said Bill Van Esveld, HRW associate children’s rights director.
The report also documented how children were held with adults in overcrowded cells and denied adequate food as well as medical care.
Egypt’s interior ministry could not be immediately reached for comment but authorities systematically deny allegations of torture in prisons.