US-Backed Egypt: Human Rights Violations, American Silence
According to The New Arab, Egyptian human rights groups are increasingly alarmed by the deaths of detainees in facilities notorious for torture, neglect, and overcrowding. These aren't new concerns; the State Department's own 2023 human rights report on Egypt acknowledged 'credible reports' of 'significant human rights issues,' including cruel treatment and various political prisoners. Yet, the
Biden administration proposed $1.3 billion in military assistance to Egypt for Fiscal Year 2024, continuing a decades-long pattern of unwavering support. One might wonder if 'human rights' is just a suggestion when strategic alliances and regional 'stability' are on the table. The US has provided over $80 billion in economic and military aid to Egypt since 1978, often overlooking the very abuses
it then meticulously documents. It appears human rights are only a deal-breaker when it's politically convenient, not when a key 'ally' is stacking bodies in its prisons.